Where to get fungicide/insecticide, etc.

[Izzie]

What does one do when they only have access to stores like Lowes, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware?

I know that any chemical that is safe for roses is safe for orchids- right?


All the garden centers near me are closed in the winter, so what do I do then?

Does anybody know of some generic brands that work well that I could get at regular hardware store?

Unfortunately, being a starving private college student with more orchids than shoes, I am not sure I have the money to order online.

I am using Schultz orchid fertilizer.

I have: 1 Epidendrum Ibaguense, 5 Phals, one adorable miniature Oncidium, and one Odontoglossum/Onc. intergeneric. One phal and the intergeneric were saved from dumpsters at safeway/king soopers. :P I'm such a scavenger.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Have you thought about purchasing on-line from other states?

[Izzie]

I have, but it's generally out of my budget.

[stefpix]

I bought some spectracide fungicide at Lowes....

was reading also about copper based.
well the winter is almost over....
you could check ray's website how to make a fungicide with cinnamon and isopropyl alcohol in the meantime

[Ray]

The cinnamon infusion is a decent topical fungicide, but will not cure internal fungi. Copper-based ones tend to be systemic, but can also be toxic to some orchids.

As to insecticides and miticides, this will seem self-serving (OK, it is), but it might be a help to you, as well.

Consider using Rise & Shine, which is my own formulation. I originated it as an insecticidal/miticidal spray, but couldn't legally call it that, as it was not registered with the EPA. It is a great leaf cleaner/shine too, so that's what it was sold as (and still is, in the form of wipes).

Fortunately, more recently the EPA has decided there are a number of "chemicals" that may be safely used, so do not fall under the auspices of FIFRA, so has a 25(b) exemption, allowing me to market it as originally intended.

Rise & Shine is made from a natural soap made from vegetable, coconut, and orange oils, alcohol, and glycerin. Diluted 4 ounces to the gallon, it is safe and effective.

[Izzie]

Thanks Ray, I've checked out your site and am definitely planning on trying some of your home remedies, especially the cinnamon solution. I'll check out your Rise & Shine.

Would internal fungi be what causes some roots to rot?
I've heard somewhere that Cinnamon is a root inhibitor or something similar, do you know anything about that? It's so widely used that I'm hesitant to believe it.

[Izzie]

Also, to which orchids are the copper-based fungicides toxic? I only have phals, oncidiums, and an epidendrum.