Should I spray my chids before I bring them in for the winter and with what?

[rochelle@58]

I grew chids many years ago but I cannot remember if I sprayed them before bringing them in for the winter or what I sprayed them with if I did. There's probably something different by now anyway). I see no evidence of any pests, just a few sun-burned leaves (oops!) but I haven't had any catastrophes and I would like some advice on how to best avoid any. All advice appreciated!
Thanks,
Barb

[Ray]

It's probably wise to give them a thorough dousing with a decent insecticide a few days before bringing them in, so you won't carry any "hitchhikers" along.

[rochelle@58]

Thanks Ray. That's easy enough!

[Bud]

two weeks before frost, id prepare the orchids before I bring them indoors.

for bugs...
a week before I will spray them with a mix:

10 drops dish soap(any kind)
1/2 teaspoon cinammon extract
2 cups tepid water (from the sink but not too hot)

spritz the whole plant and soak the media so any eggs on the roots get killed

for precautions on fungi and bacteria:
the next week: spray it with physan20 (1 capful to a gallon)

let it dry and bring it all indoors

[rochelle@58]

Thanks so much for the exact details. It helps so much and I will follow through.Thanks again -
Barb

[Bud]

Barb, for future reference: its good to put your USDA grow zone and your location in the USA...that will help most of us to correctly advice you on growing your orchids.

[RosieC]

I also like to soak the pots/medium in cold coffee. It drives slugs and other crawlies out of the medium (leave for 15+ minutes). I then rinse with plain water.

It worked well for me last year, I got the idea from Ray's website I think.

[Ray]

I carry a treatment that is ideal for "pre-bringing-in", called "Bugitol".

Despite the funny name, it is made up of two FDA GRAS (generally regarded as safe), food grade oils - essential oil of mustard and capsaicin oleoresins - and it kills insects, mites, molds, fungi, slugs, snails, and even some airborne diseases. A capsaicin residue is left behind that acts as an insect repellent.

The one potential "flaw" is that it has a very strong odor when mixed with water for application, so it must be mixed and used outdoors. It only takes a few minutes for the odor to dissipate, so once it's gone, it's fine to bring stuff in.

[rochelle@58]

Thanks for all the tips. I'll be writing them down and carrying them out. I'll be calling Ray's for Bugitol and soaking media in coffee and I'm in a town called Jacksonville, AR. but I'll have to figure out later how to get it up on my thread.
Barb