Have you ever made a really bad orchid choice?

[Dorothy]

H - you big ole sweetie - you are such a great help to the OB ... Keep it up ...

[Nic100]

Originally Posted by playtime8978

Thanks guys, your right, I did learn a lot from it and am still learning as the days pass.

EEEEEK Camille mealies don't sound fun at all and as far as I am aware we cant get those 'bombs' here though I have never specifically looked for them. I hope you manage to eradicate the little horrors. I didnt think mealies, male or female, could fly so I have learnt something new there.

I have lost a few plants to various misdemeanors but the seedlings have been the biggest lost, as said yes good job they were not expensive LOL

I think it is possible to get those bombs here - I've seen them on ebay, but I've no idea if they work. I used a flea bomb in New York when I lived there and the cat had to stay with the neighbours for the day. Fleabombs are pretty toxic, I believe, so I had to clean the whole place top to bottom before letting the cat back in including washing all the bedding and cushion covers etc. But the bomb fog gets everywhere so there is no escaping it! Even inside the VCR - unlikely flea-hangout I would have thought but heh, who knows what fleas get up to in their spare time!

[BikerDoc5968]

Dorothy....

[stefpix]

The guinea pig could be the guinea pig to test the toxicity of the permethrin bomb!!! Ideal you come back and the mealies are dead and the guinea pig is alive just needing a bit of fresh air.
or you can take the guinea pig for "a walk" when you bomb your dorm. I woudd be more concerned about dishes/ silverware, cups, bedding and so on

Permethrin/Pyrethrin worked ok for me . just mostly gnats . I had a tomato that i think might have had spider mites [tiny webs and tiny insects under the leaves]. I sprayed around and tossed the plant. Not worth the risk to save it.

I had some aphids on a Mandevilla abnd just that - on my window. no other plants.
I sprayed a mix of water and rubbing alcohol. The aphids died promptly but then all the leaves a bloom started to dry / die / fall.
I rinsed it under the shower - but it really close to the base and but it inside a clear plastic bag, now hopefully some new leaves may be sprouting.

Noticed alcohol is bad to some plants.

Anyway - I would feel safe with Pyrethrin/ permethrin. bought at Lowes a spray that contains that and is marketed as "kitchen / pantry safe"...
good luck.

regarding seedlings I have been lucky but a couple of phals that i rescued died - but mostly are fine.

I have an Encyclia that when i bought came with dead roots and is not really putting out new ones. any advice?

stefano

[johnblagg]

if you can put the plant in a bag then I would seal it up in a bag with a hotshot no pset strip for a day or two ....or lol I might try a flea product like a flea collar for dogs in the bag or "I know rofl" let the plant actually wear the collar a few days.

[stefpix]

Actually couldnt you take one of those clear plastic storage boxes put the plant inside, duct tape the lid and bomb the box? you could leave it outside or in the bathroom with the window open. probably you could treat more than one plant.

what about also watering with a solution with dish detergent and some rubbing alcohol? seems that dishsoap kills every insect.

[camille1585]

Putting one plant in a bag would work, put how do I put 60??? I just wish I had the Malathion+mineral oil I left in France. Mealies die within 30 min. I only treated once, thinking I would treat again once back in the Netherlands, but stupidly forgot the Malathion. So now I probably have a semi resistant strain.

Tried the rubbing alcohol many times, but it means doing it at least once a week for a while. The advantage of the Malathion is that it kills eggs too, but since it's not systemic, very hidden bugs can escape.

[Dorothy]

H -

[stefpix]

Cant you treat your plants in the bath tub or shower and for a day use a neighbor's bathroom?
also in there it would be easier if there is a window to rinse everything off and have less contamination.

[shadytrake]

I purchased a Zygostates lunata that has really pretty blooms only to discover that it is a really cold grower.

It's going to thrive this winter but come summer, I bet I will lose it. $30 down the drain. Oh well....happens.