Looking ahead to Summer

[Junebug]

Another thing worth mentioning when you grow outdoors is to not let your flower pots come in direct contact with the ground. A little elevation makes a world of difference.

I can't take credit for the insect spray recipe cause I found it on Orchid Board. It works on mealy bugs too. Another quick fix for mealies is to saturate a q-tip with alcohol and dab it directly on the bugs. It works like magic. If the chid has tender leaves I follow up with a quick rinse of plain water, but I can honestly say I've never seen any long term damage from the alcohol treatment...probably because it evaporates quickly.

Snails can be another troublesome outdoor pest. There are natural predators and snail baits, but I prefer to pick them off and flush them down the toilet.

[Orchid126]

Ditto what Junebug says about not letting the pots touch the ground. All kinds of creepy-crawlies sneak in. I put mine up on open shelving or tuck them into hanging baskets and hang them from the bushes.

In the middle of the summer and then again about two weeks before they're due back in I gave them a couple of sprays of Bayer Advanced Rose and Flower Spray, which is systemic. And then I give the medium a drench of something like Formula 409 and dish liquid to kill anything lurking there.

Despite all my precautions last year I brought in a host of mealy bugs. Took weeks to get rid of them because they love it indoors and didn't want to leave.

[Country Gramma]

Well, I thank you all for the encouragement to take my plants outside this summer . I was really hoping this would be the answer!!!

I have some nice gardens and a water pond with waterlilies and such and the orchids will be a great addition as well as be wonderful for their growth and well being.

Junebug thanks so much for the receipe even if you got it from OB. This place is the bestest!!!!

I will be using all your advice and loving it.

Thanks all and grow on!!!

[lycaonpictus]

Oh, your orchids are going to love hanging out by a waterlily pond! They can make some new friends.