Thrips

[elitebettas]

Hi guys,
I've been absent for a while, since my orchids have been doing very well and blooming on schedule, but this year I have a BIG problem. Thrips have somehow managed to know off buds before they open, strip leaves off my hard cane dendrobiums (ooo it hurts just writing this lol), and attacked cattleya roots. PLEASE, does anyone know something that will eradicate this pest? I'm really looking for something I can spray on the plants that will leave some type of residue toxic to them. I'd show bloom pics, but many this year are marred by the effects of these disgusting creatures-and hurry-now they've turned their attention to the Vandas!

[camille1585]

Definitely go for a systemic insecticide, it's the only way to get to them as they are often hidden out of sight. Products containing imidacloprid work well (I don't know the names of any american brand names, sorry.) and is considered one of the "safer" products to use indoors. The chemical stays active in the plant for about 2 weeks or so. You either spray it or water the plants with it, and repeat the treatment after 2 weeks to get any freshly hatched larvae. Keep in mind though that many thrips species have become resistant to a wide range of insecticides, so it may not be 100% effective. You have to keep an eye out for these little pests!
Hope this helps!

[dgenovese1]

I might have a suggestion for you, but I'd like to know more about your growing situation before I do.

Where are your orchids growing...indoors or out?
Do you have pets?
How many orchids do you need to treat (I would suggest treating the whole collection, based on your description of the damage)?

Thanks.

[elitebettas]

Hi guys,
Thanks for your suggestions,
Dave: I have alittle over 100 orchids, that i have summered outside but have been brought inside for the winter. I do have a small dog kept inside. People are also always amazed that I can get everything to flower having them live on a third floor open air balcany-surrounded by trees in pretty close proximity to the balcany (vined trees)...I gotta get on top of this thrip problem though, I've just yesterday witnessed the larvae on one of my vascostylis blooms

[littlefrog]

All I can say is good luck. I've tried everything to get rid of thrips and they still keep coming back. I think there are some resistant strains floating around, and since I buy in a lot of plants I get some of each... They also seem to come in whenever my neighbor mows his hay field (now that we have three inches of snow this is not likely to be a problem for a while).

Imidacloprid is ineffective against my thrips. Orthene is also ineffective. Insect growth regulators (like Distance and Enstar II) do seem to slow them down, but I can't get total control. And yes, I do repeated sprayings...

On a positive note, I haven't seen boisduval scale or mealybugs in a long time... *grin* So all that spraying is paying off a little bit.

I am going to try a new product called 'nemasys' which is a biological control. A species of nematode that loves thrips. Supposedly this works. And since I don't see a way thrips can be resistant to it, maybe it will work for me. Hard part is that I can't get my local company who sells it to actually fix their damn website so I can order it...

[camille1585]

That's why thrips are such a huge problem in commercial greenhouses. They have become resistant to pretty much every single insecticide available and no amount of spraying will get them all. And the few things that actually work are for professional use only. Last year I did research during nearly 9 months of the effects of naturally resistant wild type pepper varieties on thrips reproduction and behavior. The goal is to breed this resistance into commercial varieties, if it turns out to work well.
Imidacloprid or other chemicals work for some people, it depends if you have a resistant or susceptible strain of thrips.

[dgenovese1]

Elitebettas,

Thanks for the additional information...it will make my suggestion better aimed at your particular circumstances.

I would try using a new organic product that is on the market in the US called Organocide. I have found it to be very effective against spider mites, mealy bugs and thrips in my conditions...in fact I don't see any buggers after using this stuff. Here is a link that talks about it: Organocide

I like it for a number of reasons, one being because it won't hurt my cats once it is dried, although I don't let them (the cats) inside my shade house anyway. I do have a number of plants around my pool area, which the cats do have access to however. It was recommended to me by a commercial grower in Homestead, Florida, which is a nice caveat.

It is an oil based product, so don't use it if temps are much above 80 degrees F. It does have a funny smell right after it is used, and it can leave the plants a little sticky if you get too much on them. Even though it is organic, I always use the usual safety measures when applying it (goggles, gloves and long clothing).

Good luck...I hope this helps.

Oh, by the way, even though it says repeat applications aren't usually needed, I'd go ahead and do a second application about 7 to 9 days after the first in your case. It sounds like the thrips are pretty bad...and make sure you get the surrounding area sprayed too...thrips like to lay eggs on the underside of shelving edges and plant containers. Take that you nasty little thrips!

[Swamper]

I use permetrol but I wouldn't if I was treating them indoors.
David I looked up the Organocide link. It sounds like something I would like to try, just because it seems friendlier to the enviroment. But it doesn't show buying directions. Where do you buy it?

[dgenovese1]

I got it at a local garden shop...not one of teh big box places like Home depot or Lowes. maybe a further search on Google would help to find another place...

Here's one: Peaceful Valley

And here's a link to the company that makes it: Organic Laboratories It lists where to buy it by state, although I didn't see the place I bought it at listed.