Have you ever made a really bad orchid choice? - Page 4 - Orchid Board

stefpix · #31 10-19-2009, 07:42 PM

beverly how long have you had that vanda for? new growth / roots beyond just the long lasting blooms? window or sunroom or lights?

Beverly · #32 10-19-2009, 08:08 PM

I ordered it in Jan. 09. It arrived in Feb. I kept it in a southern window and gave it a shower almost every day.It also got a fertilizer bath every Saturday.
In late april or may, I put it outside in full sun. I brought it back inside as the first buds started to open.
I posted a thread about it Vanda Melanie Coronado, If you want to see pictures.

Dorothy · #33 10-19-2009, 08:42 PM

Here is the Vanda Melanie Coronado Thread -

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-paradise.html

Doc G · #34 10-20-2009, 01:28 AM

Camille:I have had mealybugs on 2 plants. I started by using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to remove as many as possible, then rolling the swab on a paper towel to crush them. New swab, repeat. Then I drenched all plant surfaces with an insecticidal soap (Safer brand, I think). I also sprayed it on the surface of the media. About a half hour later I washed the plant under running water and drenched the media. I did this 3 times, about 10 days apart and they were gone.

Obviously not a whole collection, just 2 plants. But I could suggest using the bug bomb technique outside if you were to make a temporary enclosure, maybe bamboo poles and plastic sheeting.

Playtime: I've made a few bad orchid choices, including seedlings. When they grow mature and flower they are very rewarding, but so much easier to kill. I have learned that miniatures and I do not get along that well and cool growing species do not agree with my household environment. Live and learn.

Beverly · #35 10-21-2009, 11:23 AM

Until yesterday, I had not seen an aphid in quite a while. As I was soaking a Neo. little black things started floating up. I found them in one other plant in that growing area.

I brought them outside and unpotted them and noticed ladybugs flying all over. When I went back inside, I found ladybugs in side my garden window already. I think they and the aphids found a way in my window

My husband told me that aphids and ladybugs made the evening news in our area. I looked at all the windows that I have orchids in and saw ladybugs on the screens.

I really hope my house doesn't get invaded by aphids.

Beverly

b amateur · #36 10-21-2009, 08:15 PM

Don't ladybugs eat aphids? Pretty sure they do.Like all of us,I've sent my share of plant to the "other side".When I moved from California to Michigan in summer a few years back,I cooked at least 1/2 of the collection in the back of the rental truck driving across Nevada and Utah

No more big moves for me.Live and learn. Brad

stefpix · #37 10-21-2009, 08:31 PM

You can buy 1000s of ladybugs on amazon for under 10 bucks or so... maybe worth if you have a greenhouse and aphids

Doc G · #38 10-21-2009, 11:21 PM

I sucked up about a thousand ladybugs with my shop vac today. The great state of Michigan decided to import the Asian variety to fight aphids. They bite, they stink and they don't taste that good either. I've put them on plants next to aphids and they ignored them. Besides crawling under the house siding and breeding by the millions, their only saving grace is that they do eat their young. Thanks again Michigan, lampreys and zebra mussels weren't enough?

camille1585 · #39 10-22-2009, 04:36 AM

If you do get ladybugs, please please make sure that you are buying native ones! Especially on places like Amazon. Asian ladybugs are an ecological disaster. Not only do they eat pests, but they also eat our native ladybugs. Everywhere they have been introduced (US, EU, other) the native ladybug populations are declining, and some species have become rare. It's to the point where my universiy is doing research to figure out how to eradicate them. Generally if they are coming into the house in the fall, they are asian. Asians usually have many many spots (13-14, but some only have a few spots) Their main distinguishing characterisitic is the black 'M' (or 'W', depending how you look at it) on their thorax.

b amateur · #40 10-22-2009, 07:51 AM

DocG,don't forget several species of invasive water plants,alewives,and the 5 species of salmon imported to eat the alewives.Throw in apples,lilacs,and countless other plants and insects like Gypsy moths,and we begin to get a picture of the human footprint here for better or worse.Anyone in Georgia want to discuss Kudzu?Oh yes,I meant to tell you before I got on my soapbox,ladybugs taste better with a little salt and butter.