Orthene: safety

[Ross]

Originally Posted by oborchid

If I spray late afternoon, do you think it would be ok?
Even if the next day is a scorcher?
I would never spray in full sun...but that's still great advice!

As for Neem, as long as the leaves are totally dry of the oil (like a couple hours) you should be fine. Read the label.

[orchids3]

"Ultra Fine" Oil is a good way to go. I use it late in the evening after the sun goes down if temperatures during the day go above 80. Neem Oil was a problem to me - it lead to sunburn on the leaves of some of my nice Cats.

[Gin]

I use Orthene WP (wettable powder) yeah it stinks , or Bayer Tree and shrub a teas. to a gallon .both are systemic used once a week for 3 weeks . The tops are sprayed with Safers to kill the ones that are present . I was given Catts. that were scale city 3 treatments took care of them . As for safety I put it in a pump up sprayer thick stream and drench the pot outside or in the greenhouse. Neem and the oil sprays are good but usually miss some then they are back .also the heat/ sun issue. I want to get them gone and not have to treat over and over which in time does damage to the leaves , not to mention my patience lol .. Gin

[cirillonb]

I just saw an ad for Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control (active ingedient Imidalcloprid) which apparently is a powder applied to medium and watered in. I saw ad in an orchid growers online site.
Anyone have experience or comment?
Nick

[Gin]

Interesting, can you post a link to the site ? That is the same chemical the Tree and Shrub has also Merit . Gin

[Jerry Delaney]

Originally Posted by Gin

I use Orthene WP (wettable powder) Gin

Gin has made a very important point. I have used Orthene WP for over 30 years to treat for scale with not so much as a damaged flower or plant. If one uses the liquid preparations that are so readily avalable in stores, the CARRIER can not only nearly wipe out flowers at times, but can also cause damage to some of the plants. Many here have recommended Neem Oil. I have not sprayed my plants with Neem Oil for one very good reason. I was manager for a large producer of this product and I KNOW what goes into it and how it is formulated. I am not about to try it no matter how effective it may be. Imidacloprid is a true systemic and many are reporting very good results with it's use. I have personally used the Rose & Flower spray containing Imidacloprid Imidaclopridwith good results and no damage to plants or flowers. However, buying the very concentrated or powder Imidalcloprid was a measuring problem for me. It takes so little of the active per gallon. I CAN personally say that if some idiot miscalculates the amount to add and WAY overdoses, it can be deadly to Phals (at least and shame on me!). Oh, one other thing. Orthene has been suspected of causing chromosome breaks so if you are planning on doing any great deal of hybridizing within the next several months after its use, you might keep that in mind.

[oborchid]

What does the word CARRIER mean in this context?
I am assuming it is something else in the formulation besides the active ingredient.
I have Orthene Turf,Tree and Ornamental Spray 97, which contains Acephate(O,S-Dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate) 97.4%. It says something about pellets on the label.
Is this the same as orthene WP?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by oborchid

What does the word CARRIER mean in this context?
I am assuming it is something else in the formulation besides the active ingredient.
I have Orthene Turf,Tree and Ornamental Spray 97, which contains Acephate(O,S-Dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate) 97.4%. It says something about pellets on the label.
Is this the same as orthene WP?

The "carrier" is the supposed inert background medium to carry the chemical agent. As an example, cool-aid is a sugar-based chemical in a carrier of plain water.

[oborchid]

THANKS

[Jerry Delaney]

Originally Posted by oborchid

What does the word CARRIER mean in this context?
I am assuming it is something else in the formulation besides the active ingredient.
I have Orthene Turf,Tree and Ornamental Spray 97, which contains Acephate(O,S-Dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate) 97.4%. It says something about pellets on the label.
Is this the same as orthene WP?

I need to correct an error I have made in terminology. The correct term is Orthene SP not WP (soluble powder as opposed to wettable powder). Oborchid, the insecticide you have is Orthene SP, and if you follow label directions, you should have no problem with any toxicity. As Ross pointed out the term carrier or vehicle consists of the so called "inert ingredients" on the label. The problem is they never say "inert" to what! One of the things that the carrier also does is provide stability to the product. If you make up spray from the SP, you need to use it within 24 hours.