Laelia Pacavia-Devastated!

[stefpix]

yeah squirrels chopped one of my Epiphyllums. no blooms, they chopped the new growth [hopefully it will grow]. Regarding peppers I would suggest yellow or red or orange scotch bonnets or habaneros and fresh. they are a lot hotter. You could try the Bhut Jolokia that according to wikipidia is used in a paste that gets smeared on fences to protect homes from wild elephants. Anyway a ripe Scotch Bonnet has a stronger smell.

You could try to use this mexican hot sauce El Yucateco kubit-il [brown] the hottest or the El Yucateco green habanero [do not get the chipotle or jalapeño ones that are mild]. You can get them easily for under $2 at some mexican bodega. and fresh garlic too/ If you buy fresh habaneros watch out - the seeds will sprout if you include them in the mix

[james mickelso]

Yummy. Dinner!!! Sorry to hear this. My sympathies on your loss. Squirrel goes good with potatoes!!

[fotofashion]

Some years ago squirrels (AKA tree rats) were the reason I got out of orchids for a while. In my climate keeping them indoors is almost fatal. My remedy, however, no one mentioned. A cat. My Cali loves to stalk squirrels. I doubt she has ever caught one but she keeps them running. I thought one was going after some plants here last week when I saw it run along the rope strung between two trees where I have some orchids hung. But no, it just kept on going.
My worst problem this year has been snails and an occasional grasshopper. I bought some Sluggo and between that and manually picking them off, I think I have them more or less under control.
I do feel the pain of those who have lost plants to varmints and hope you find a good remedy that works for you.
Beverly A.

[PaphMadMan]

Squirrels destroyed several Cypripedium plants for me last spring, so I know just how you feel.

[RosieC]

That really sucks!

So sorry to hear about the devastation. I really would have been gutted. I get upset just seeing the slug damage on some of my plants (one in particular amoungst a group standing together seems to atract them). That damage is nothing to what you have experienced

[stefpix]

I just had a similar moment. The squirrels chopped off the new growth of my banana plant [had to chop the main growth a few weeks ago, so this was the only growth.] While taking the pot inside through the window I knowcked off my division of 2 old PB Cirropethalum Elizabeth Ann and the only tiny new lead broke off.

Anyway a repellent for squirrels that works is garlic and fresh hot peppers like Serranos or Habanero [the red are hotter].
the more the better. blend and apply on top of the pot. The pepper seeds may germinate so before blending I freeze them a few hours.

It works buit if it rains a lot you may have to reapply. I find squirrels cause damage often after rainstorms for some reason.

Coffee works as slug/ snail killer/ repellent. Pour some coffee and water in the medium of the orchids affected.

I am wondering if growing a barrier of garlic and hot pepper plants may keep the squirrels out.

[Zdenglan]

Ohhh, so sorry for that carnage...I had a similar experience last week - my cats have chewed off most of the flower buds off a Phal that I've waited for 2 years to flower. I bought it discounted and nursed it back to health....Infuriating little feline idiots.....only being so blimming cute saved them from my wrath!

[SpeciesNut]

Im soooo sorry this happened to you! my sympathy goes out to you.

[Helen]

Wow, what a bummer, those darn little buggers....that's why I can't bring myself to put my chids outside. I've had bad experiences in the past.
Squirrels are eating my dalhia blooms this summer, it's like they wait and watch and then rip em to shreds when you are not looking....and leave all the pieces for you to pick up.

I asked my hubbie for a pellet gun for my birthday!

I feel sorry that this happened to you. I'm sure your new growths will produce blooms even better than you expected! Keep us posted on them!
Keep smiling
Helen

[stefpix]

Anyway the squirrels will come when you are not looking possibly at 6 or 7 am... plant garlic and peppers and use them as a barrier. they do not like that. hang some fresh chilies on teh planst you want to protect. Make some habanero paste... It helps