Looking ahead to Summer

[Country Gramma]

I know it's early for summer questions but...

I've been reading a lot about people moving their chids outside in the summer. It sounds like a great idea (especially here in the NE for the light, etc) but being so afraid of pests and diseases I'm wondering how you that do that deal with the visitors.

We get loads of spiders (which I hate) and others on outside plants but they are outside!!! What about when you bring them in in the Fall. What do you do then?

Thanks all!!!

[lily99]

I take mine outside every summer. They really seem to like it. I spray them with neem oil before bringing them back in just in case, but the bugs in my yard don't seem to like the orchids much.

[trdyl]

Karen, I do summer mine outside in the summer when I am at home with them. When it is time to bring them back in I dip the entire plant pot and all in a broad spectrum pesticide. Then follow up with another hit of pesticide atfer a week or two if needed.

[lycaonpictus]

The only pest I've ever had problems with after leaving my orchids out all summer is scale. I keep an eye on them all summer and manually remove any scale I see. I also treat prophylactically with a pesticide containing insect growth inhibitors every couple weeks while they're out. Then, like trdyl, I dunk & clean / treat them thoroughly one last time before they come in.

It also helps to keep an extra-close eye on them for the first few weeks after they come back inside, just in case.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Country Gramma

I know it's early for summer questions but...

I've been reading a lot about people moving their chids outside in the summer. It sounds like a great idea (especially here in the NE for the light, etc) but being so afraid of pests and diseases I'm wondering how you that do that deal with the visitors.

We get loads of spiders (which I hate) and others on outside plants but they are outside!!! What about when you bring them in in the Fall. What do you do then?

Thanks all!!!

I grow all my chids outdoors and invite as many members of the food chain into my yard as possible. Spider's, lizards, frogs, birds, and non venomous snakes are all welcomed as active participants in natural pest control. I seldom have problems with insects other than occasional sightings of scale and aphids. To combat these pests I spray them with a mixture of 1 cup alcohol, 2 tsps. neem oil, and1 tsp. mild dish detergent. All the ingredients are placed in a 1 quart sprayer and then topped off and shaken with 3 cups of water. It's important to visually inspect the plants on a regular basis...every day if possible. I isolate the plant and begin treatment at the first sign of infestation and continue treating until 2 weeks after the pests are gone. Restriction of direct sunlight during treatment will prevent the Neem oil from burning the leaves. One or two treatments is usually sufficient with small infestations.

[harrywitmore]

I would add that I take many plants outside in the summer to eliminate pests. Many time plants that get mealy and scale in the greenhouse will lose them in the summer with no action on my part. Natural predictors and lots of air and humidity take care of them. I don't consider any spider a pest although many people don't like them.

[nutgirl]

[quote=Junebug;285773]I grow all my chids outdoors and invite as many members of the food chain into my yard as possible. Spider's, lizards, frogs, birds, and non venomous snakes are all welcomed as active participants in natural pest control.

I agree completely! My outdoor orchids are worked over completely by all the above. Wish I could have them do the same indoors.

Maureen

[Windy]

Originally Posted by Junebug

I grow all my chids outdoors and invite as many members of the food chain into my yard as possible. Spider's, lizards, frogs, birds, and non venomous snakes are all welcomed as active participants in natural pest control. I seldom have problems with insects other than occasional sightings of scale and aphids. To combat these pests I spray them with a mixture of 1 cup alcohol, 2 tsps. neem oil, and1 tsp. mild dish detergent. All the ingredients are placed in a 1 quart sprayer and then topped off and shaken with 3 cups of water. It's important to visually inspect the plants on a regular basis...every day if possible. I isolate the plant and begin treatment at the first sign of infestation and continue treating until 2 weeks after the pests are gone. Restriction of direct sunlight during treatment will prevent the Neem oil from burning the leaves. One or two treatments is usually sufficient with small infestations.

Thanks for your "recipe". This is great and plan to use it on not just my orchids, but other plants as well. Had a lot of problems with mites last summer on some of my outside plants, mainly roses. I was strictly using neen, but I suspect this is better.

[Donald]

I just might be downright lucky but here in Massachusetts I can honestly say I have never encountered a problem with bugs after a summer outdoors. Mother Nature takes care of the light and watering,the watering gets add'l help from me, and I get to enjoy.

[camille1585]

Same here, mine are outside every summer, and I have yet to bring in any unwanted guests at the end of the summer, other than a few spiders and good bugs.