What to use for spider mites on Cycnoches

[jim blanford]

I have been using Bayer Rose & Flower Insect Killer on all my orchids, and all kinds of pests, and have excellent results. It is available Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc....Most of the members in our orchid society use it.... Check it out, and good luck... Jim

[Faerygirl]

Imidicloprid (sp?) (the ingredient in Bayer) never worked for me...on ANYTHING. Don't know why, it just doesn't work for me. Neem Oil works, Kelthane works, Cygon 2E works, Bayer doesn't (for me)

[smweaver]

Thanks for the tip regarding Kelthane's brand name (Hi Yield). I couldn't find it in any of the local garden centers here in town, even the "mom and pop" ones that usually have a better selection than Lowe's. Luckily, it's readily available over the Internet, so I ordered some today.

[Gin]

I do a mite check every week especially on the Phals . by wetting a tissue with water or safers and running it over the under side of the leaves , if orangish smears show up %#$* Mites ! My daughter got them on her Phals . ruined them . paranoid Gin

[smweaver]

I've tried that before. Unfortunately, since I'm color-blind, I can't tell if the residue that came off on the tissue was orange or not--and it does make for some raised eyebrows from your coworkers when you bring them an old wet tissue from home and request that they identify the color of the stain for you. It doesn't do you any good either when you try to justify your request by telling the truth, that you're looking for spider mites. Still, I do wipe down the leaves, both upper and under sides, at least weekly just to be on the safe side when the plants go outdoors for the summer. But I've used only plain water in the past, so I should probably take your advice and wipe them down with Safer's. Thank you for the tip!

[Wendy]

I have to battle spider mites once in awhile because i grow in the house and the less humid air in a house is perfect for them to flourish. For my problem i use horticultural oil mixed with water and spray the whole room once a month. I've been getting a friend to come over with a paint sprayer so that the mist is nice and fine and can get into all the cracks and crannies. My dad just gave me a fogger though so now I can do it myself. I had previously thought about using chemicals but am reluctant to use them in the house. The horticultural oil keeps the mites well under control.

I grow mormodes, cycnoches, spathoglottis etc (along with other stuff) and they all have beautiful long leaves with this treatment. Hope that helps.

[smweaver]

Thanks for the response to my inquiry, Wendy. Do you ever put your plants outside? What's the ratio of the horticultural oil to to water in the mix you use? Any particular brand of oil? I've seen horticultural oil at the local garden center, but wasn't sure if a) it could be used on orchids, or b) it could be used while the plants were in leaf (rather than dormant). I found some Kelthane on the Internet (just arrived last week). So perhaps I can alternate the use of Kelthane with horticultural oil to stop any infestations that might occur starting next month when all of my catasetinae orchids will begin going outside for the growing season. Thank you again for the helpful information.

Steve

[Wendy]

Sorry to take so long to reply.

I use Green Earth horticultural Oil and I bought it at the local nursery. The mixing ratio I use is 10ml of oil per 1 litre of water. You can add a couple drops of dish soap but it isn't really necessary...just shake it up good or use a paint sprayer/fogger.

I only put a few plants outside for the summer. About 98% of them stay indoors. They never get a cloudy day, rained on, bugs etc under the lights.

PS....there may be some orchids that are sensitive to hort oil but I haven't had any problems with the ones i grow. I have mainly multifloral Paphs, Phrags and species catts with a few Mormodes, Galeandra, Spathoglottis (thin leaved species) and a few other odds and sods thrown in. If anyone has had sensitivity issues using the oil I hope they post here to let you know.

[littlefrog]

And as long as we are at it, never ever apply the Bayer tree and shrub spray (active ingredient imidocloprid) to cycnoches, catasetums, mormodes, or any other soft leafed plant susceptible to spider mites. Seriously.

It won't kill the plant, and it would probably kill any scale or mealy bug, aphids, etc that the plant had. But the spider mites will take off, it is a growth enhancer for mites (published studies and everything). Even if you've never seen mites before, I think you will if you spray with enough imidocloprid.

I suppose you could tank mix it with some miticide (kelthane or avid, perhaps).

[orcdfrk]

I use Safer's Soap for most of my insect problems which don't seem to be too much right now. I've got a can of Doktor Doom just in case.