A warning on use of canola oil

[Lagoon]

Ross,

I've used this too a number of times. My phals and catts seem to do well with this treatment. It was my mollted leaf paphs that did not do well.
The first spraying was ok ... It was the second spraying that I realize something was up. So I didn't use it anymore.

The mites came back on my paphs and I switched out to a pyrethrin. NEVER AGAIN will I use this. Then the leaves turned into rust color and look very warped, all twisted and turned upside down & dehydrated.

I kept them for a while, they never grew out any new fans - I ended up tossing them out, lost 3

I've learned with orchids ... Just because you have confidence in a product doesn't mean it will work for all.
Some are just more sensitive then others. I feel that test spraying is something to really consider

[IdahoOrchid]

Lagoon, are you saying the canola spray or the pyrethrin spray is what affected your paphs so harshly?

BTW, if you DO find a chemical that seems to work very well and is not harmful to your plants you should buy LOTS of it. The gummit has a tendency to BAN anything that works.

[Lagoon]

I don't feel it was the combo of the 2. Mainly the pyrethrin that was the real problem. Since then I pretty much just stick with regular house hold dish soap and sometimes neem mixed in.

Oooh I know what you mean, There's almost nothing you can buy here, its' been that way for years now

[Ross]

See, that's the thing... how do we know which chemical or combo is the culprit? Ray has a good point - it could be the 98% "inert" materials. But what are those?