Something eaten inside a p-bulb... what should I do now?

[RosieC]

My Onc Sharry Baby is being eaten!

Somethine has burrowed inside a p-bulb and started hollowing it out. I think the lower half of the bulb is hollow while the top half still feels firm.

What should I do now?

I'm not sure if whatever it is is still in there. I was thinking of tipping the plant on it's side and pouring in rain water to try and get it to crawl out. Is this a good idea?

Also what then, when I'm sure the critter is out, should I put cinnamon in the hole, or do I need to completely remove the p-bulb, or do I just leave it



The good thing is that while this is one of the new p-bulbs there are two more new p-bulbs and five lead growths of various sizes. This Onc is also iminently going to flower and is growing the buds on a big spike.

[johnblagg]

I would get some sort of insecticide and squirt it in there....

[kavanaru]

check for slugs/snails in the pot!! that really looks like slugs damage...

[RosieC]

Thanks John. Good idea, not sure what I can get here in the UK. I have one I spray for greenfly on plants, not sure if that is safe on orchids

[RosieC]

Thanks Ramón,

I know I have slugs keep attacking new root tips on my onc types in the greenhouse, I keep getting rid of them when I see them.

I usually find that if I dunk the pot for at least an hour the slugs come crawling out to the top. I dunked this one for about 15min this morning in the hope something would crawl out but nothing and I had to leave for work. I will try again for longer tonight.

This Onc actually could do with re-potting, but it's so close to flowering I was not sure if I should.

[kavanaru]

Rosie, a nice trick to find slugs (even those who knows very well to hide): Water your plant as always, in order to have enough humidity in the pot. In the evening, put some slices of cucumber on the top of the substrat, and turn the lights off... wait 30 - 45 minutes, turn the lights on, and check under the cucumber slices.. Slugs will be eating from them! I've found this method better than anything else to find hidden slugs!

[RosieC]

Thanks Ramón, I had forgotten that one. I think you can also use potato in a similar way.

I'll definately do that tonight and I think I will put some out arround all my greenhouse plants to try and get those slugs... at least until they all find their way back in

[RosieC]

It's been a real pain over the summer... several Dens and Onc Alliance have been growing lovely visible new roots off new growths... and next thing I know the tip has been nibbled. Caught a few slugs doing it but not always.

[jrodpad]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Caught a few slugs doing it

Don't know if it will work with slugs, but this worked for me when I had ants eating through a houseplant - if there's something in that p-bulb, it will get it out.

Take the crevice attachment on your vacuum (or if you don't have one, the attachment with the smallest aperture that you do have) and cover the opening with pantyhose. Turn on the vacuum and place the opening up against the hole in the p-bulb. There's enough suction to remove any critters but not so much that you risk harming the onc. Also, anything that you remove will be stuck up against the pantyhose so you can identify the villain and then (1) set him free outside if you're a peace-nick type or (2) go all inquisition on his behind.

Up to you.

Good luck.

- J

[RosieC]

Thanks J. Interesting idea, not sure if slugs would be able to stick on but it's worth a try.