Orthene: safety

[oborchid]

Hi,

I have had some ongoing problems with scale. I can get rid of the crawlers, but I can't seem to eradicate the armored ones (which I just discovered are the females).I have done the alcohol, insecticidal soap, even immunox thing and I can't seem to get rid of it altogether. I was thinking of trying the alcohol/409 combo, as I haven't done that yet. But I was also considering Orthene. I am a little worried about it's safety though.
I have a very large, mixed collection with some pretty valuable specimens that I don't want to lose.
ADVICE would be appreciated!

[BikerDoc5968]

I have sprayed with good success ORTHENEX which is a combo insect & disease control product. Haven't knocked off any plants, yet.....Since I use it out in a GH, I don't worry about pets and kids (human)

[lepanthes89]

Hi;
I have seasonal problems with scale on some of my plants,and the thing that works for me is horticultural oil/sun oil.
Make sure it is not dormant oil,which will damage leaves.
The trick is to repeat the application at least three times at one week(or so) intervals.
A day after I spray,the adult scale wipes off easily(they are dead).
Orthene, and all petrochemical insecticides are toxic,mostly in ways we dont yet understand,so its best to keep clear of them.
The sun oil is as toxic as mineral oil.
Good luck.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by lepanthes89

Hi;
I have seasonal problems with scale on some of my plants,and the thing that works for me is horticultural oil/sun oil.
Make sure it is not dormant oil,which will damage leaves.
The trick is to repeat the application at least three times at one week(or so) intervals.
A day after I spray,the adult scale wipes off easily(they are dead).
Orthene, and all petrochemical insecticides are toxic,mostly in ways we dont yet understand,so its best to keep clear of them.
The sun oil is as toxic as mineral oil.
Good luck.

Neem oil (a vegetable source) is just as effective and commonly available.

[lepanthes89]

Carefull with Neem.
A friend lost most of his Australian and European terrestrials because of it.
I suppose its ok for waxy leaved plants ,but not for soft,thin leaved ones.(Jewels etc.)

[Ross]

Originally Posted by lepanthes89

Carefull with Neem.
A friend lost most of his Australian and European terrestrials because of it.
I suppose its ok for waxy leaved plants ,but not for soft,thin leaved ones.(Jewels etc.)

Good point! Any oils would be bad for Jewells. Have used it on other thin-leaved species like Dendrobium senile with no ill-effect, though.

[oborchid]

Thanks for the replies!
I have used neem oil, but i am a little scared of it because it's pretty hot here in Alabama. Maybe I'm being paranoid, because I don't think i have lost any plants due to the neem oil.
I can't help but wonder if Neem oil coats the roots and doesn't allow them to soak up water. Thoughts?

[oborchid]

Also, what about neem oil on paphs and phrags, as well as odonts and miltonias. I obviously keep the cooler growers inside in a designated "cool room", but I would love to know if you guys think neem oil would be bad for the "persnickety" ones.

[Ross]

Nope! Neem is pretty safe, with the above caveots. Not safe on ceratin sensitive leaves. Most ordinary orchids are fine. I have soaked roots of Phals, Paphs, and others in diluted Neem with no ill effect. Only time I ever had a problem, was with Haraella in bloom and sprayed the buds. It didn't like it and has since grown out of it's pout. Heat can always be a problem, but full sun is worse. Never spray an orchid with anything in full sun. Period.

[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!