APHIDS - Orchid Board

slpjennifer · #1 04-13-2009, 10:32 PM

I went to Key Largo this weekend and when I came home and checked my balcony garden, my herbs were FULL of aphids. I saw one crawling on one of my phals too. I panicked and threw the herb garden away (no way I was risking my orchids) and sprayed everything including the new gardenia I brought home with soapy water and alcohol. I also went and bought insecticide and marigolds which supposedly repel aphids. Any other suggestions.

Bloomin_Aussie · #2 04-14-2009, 12:31 PM

Yes... calm down.

I generally use pyrethrin insecticides these days (it is a naturally ocurring toxin produced by chrysanthemums and it is biodegradable) but I've had success with spraying mixtures of chilli and garlic in the past... they don't tend to last as long though.

slpjennifer · #3 04-14-2009, 12:45 PM

the insecticide I bought is pyrethin. Went out and did a check this morning everything seemed clear. Glad I threw the herb garden away. That was surely the quickest way to solve the problem. Will be spraying once a week with soapy water from now on though!!!

Bloomin_Aussie · #4 04-14-2009, 09:04 PM

Oh, I forgot ladybeetles! Those little critters make short work of aphids. Absolutley amazing to watch (magnifying glass helps). They just pick up an aphid and start chomping until nothing is left! And I mean nothing. They eat wings, legs... everything!

If you want to use them just make sure they are the carnivourous kind and don't use pyrethrin at the same time.

slpjennifer · #5 04-15-2009, 09:48 AM

I have heard that. Terrified of bugs though, even lady bugs

Bloomin_Aussie · #6 04-15-2009, 01:30 PM

But they're so cute

So it's entomophobia then?

slpjennifer · #7 04-15-2009, 06:00 PM

you have no idea. I was repotting a cattleya today and I saw a centipede. This is usually a relaxing activity. After the little guy was removed I was terrified the whole time I was removing the old media that I would see another. hahaha I am such a whimp.

Bloomin_Aussie · #8 04-15-2009, 08:20 PM

LOL. I used to have an aversion to certain insects but once I learned a bit more about them they didn't seem that intimidating any more. Spiders never worried me for some reason. Seems strange I know but I was always the one rescuing spiders from people (although the people thought it was the other way round).

bodaciousbonsai · #9 04-16-2009, 01:15 AM

I like to hatch praying mantis eggs right with my orchids when they are ready to go outside for the summer. its cool watching them.

mclyle · #10 07-16-2009, 04:40 AM

Anyone know where to get some really "fresh" live ladybugs? I bought a bag from a plant show a few months ago, got home, and 1/3 of them were dead! I bought a ladybug house, too...waste of money. Only the dead ones stayed in there... I need some fast help for some (aphids?). I thought baby ladybugs at first (red), but then saw larger black bugs of the same shape on another orchid.