Bonide all seasons spray

[Call_Me_Bob]

I have scale. Is bonide all seasons spray oil safe to use? I'm particularly worried about a masdie and a phal I have in spike, and an enc. That has a tiny sheath and a Catt that has two pbulbs that have small buds without sheaths (weird?) it also has sheaths. Oh and a phal in bloom

[Junebug]

Hi Bob,

I've never used Bonide for scale. I had severe infestations on 3 of my cattleyas a few years ago. The scale was everywhere, leaves, bulbs, rhizomes and roots. The plants had to be removed from their pots. I kept the roots bare for a few days and sprayed the entire plant with a systemic, Orthenex. I continued weekly treatments for about 2 months post repot. The plants all survived but their recovery was slow.

That was my first encounter with scale. Now I'm obsessive compulsive about checking for bugs. When I discover early signs of scale the plant gets treated with a mixture of alcohol, water, a mild dish soap like ivory, and neem oil. In a quart spray bottle I use 1 c alcohol, 2 tsp. neem, 2 tsp. ivory, and water to fill. Shake well before using. I spray the mixture on all visible scale, both sides of leaves, and into any crevices where they might be lurking. A few hours later I remove the scale with a Qtip and spray again. The affected plants are isolated and checked each day. Repeat treatments are done once a week for 3 weeks. Neem oil puts plants at greater risk for sunburn, so they should be kept in shadier areas for the duration of treatment.

[Royal]

Good advice, Junebug.

Bob, I have been liking my results with neem oil. The label on my package says it's combined with other horticultural oils (orange maybe?). I'd bet what you have is ok to use. Neem is cheap, so if you're unsure about what you have just go get some.

I'd like to stress two important points. First (especially for scale), physical removal of all the pests you can see is good practice. Alcohol on a paper towel or a q-tip and a little patience can get you off to a good start. Second, most critters have a distinct life cycle so any treatment should be repeated a few times. Spacing three applications 7-10 days apart will ensure that you get all the little buggers that survived previous treatments because they where in a different, less vulnerable stage in their cycle.

[Call_Me_Bob]

The lady at the garden center said this is what she uses and she swears by it. I asked if it is neem oil, she said no but it is much like neem oil. The container says good for house plants.

I tried with alcohol but they keep coming back. It is only on a few plant and there are never very many bugs but I want to KILL all of them just to be safe

[Call_Me_Bob]

The bottle says the main ingredient is petroleum oil. Also wanted to add to the list in my previous post of spike/sheaths. My laelia anceps is in sheath as well I don't know if these are in danger if I use this

[Royal]

Personally, I'd use neem oil or another "orchid safe" pesticide before I sprayed petroleum oil on my collection. It might be totally fine, but that's just me.

[Call_Me_Bob]

The label does say that it is safe for jade, schefflera, hibiscus, chrysanthemum, and ferns. Idk how sensitive each one is. But does that change your perspective?

[Royal]

Not really. If it specified a use for orchids I may think about it, but in the end it is still petroleum oil.

[Call_Me_Bob]

okay, so i picked up some neem oil. should i just follow the instructions on the bottle? or are there other precautions i need to take for orchids

[Call_Me_Bob]

There are no dilution rates on the bottle. So I'll follow what you said earlier.

Imm just curious if it will harm my spikes. I have phals on spike, bud, and bloom. I have a massy in spike. I have some catts in sheath. Will it hurt the spikes???

Thanks. I'll apply it soon as I get the answer, thanks