Multiple Pests

[Leafmite]

Hi!
I was reading this and wondered how systemic is applied to orchids that are planted in an open media. I've had to treat other plants and I've always used a granular type that is mixed in the soil. So far, the pests prefer the other plants and alcohol has taken care of things with the orchids but I do want to be prepared. What type of systemic is used with orchids? How much? And, yes, if the nasties keep returning on that cymbidium, definitely go for the systemic. If these things really like your cymbidium, they can get out of hand very quickly.
Good luck,
leafmite

[silken]

For me I use Merit. You can buy a stronger liquid form that is mixed with water in the U.S. and as far as I know the dose is stronger, so using it more than once may not apply or be necessary. In Canada you can't get that but you can get a weaker granular form that is also mixed with water. I then spray the entire plant, soaking it into crevices and old dry bracts etc. as that is where scale hides and why its so hard to get rid of. But I make sure the media and plant are also thoroughly watered with it as well. It has to take it up into its system to act on the long term (systemic). The instructions say to use once a year. But that was not enough for the scale on my oncidium. I read other threads here that suggested using it once a week for 4 to 6 weeks so that's what I did. Maybe that's because of the open media compared to potting soil. I then still isolated the plant for months just to be sure, but it seems to be pest free.

There was rumor in our society that dendrobiums do not like Merit. I have not idea if there is any truth, but I would be wary with dendrobiums or any real delicate types. Of course using a pesticide on any orchid could have harmful effects, but so do the pests we are treating. My oncidium is fine and pest free.

I was doing some checking on the internet and found lots of material indicating it is not a miticide so will not help for spider mites-too bad. You need one that says miticide on the label for that.

[Leafmite]

Thanks, Silken!
Leafmite

[scy]

Silken: Thanks for the advice! I poured cool coffee all over and no other insects were found fleeing. Is it typical to have pest issues when buying a new plant or is it just my luck? I have given up on using rubbing alcohol. In the first treatment, I went through each individual leaf and spent several hours hunched over it; my back ached at the end of the ordeal. I decided I wasn't going to do that again. Can scale lay eggs or live in the medium or is it strictly on the leaves & pseudobulbs? I have not seen any silvery threads or webs, so I guess I do not have spider mites.

The local areas I have by me are a Lowe's and Home Depot. I looked on their websites and didn't see Merit or Malathion. Is there something I can get from there that would be equally effective?

TimeToFindMe: Doh! Didn't know about the spiders but I guess if I find more on there, I'll leave them alone.

[silken]

I don't think it is typical to have pest issues, but it does happen and likely more often at the box stores than from a reputable dealer. If it was a reputable orchid vendor, they should be notified and if they are good, would want to know and may compensate you in some way for all your troubles. But do it soon as if you wait, they will assume the pests got on the plant after you were caring for it.

I don't know of any other good substitutions for Merit or Malathion, but hopefully someone else could recommend something. Our local Walmart carries Malathion. A gardening store would be the best place to find more specialized pesticides. Maybe also a hydroponics place. Or you could contact the local orchid society and they may know where to find things in your area and have some other options.

[Taenialis]

aceite de verano 75%
aceite de verano 85%
aceite de parafina (Paraffinic Oil)
azadiractin (neem oil)
acephate 97%
bifenthrin 8%
permethrin 10%
imidacloprid
benfuracarb 20% EC
deltametrin 2,5% EC
dinotefuran
pyriproxigen 11%
formetanato 50% SP o SG
metiloxidemeton 25% EC

[Call_Me_Bob]

Even if you got it at a local garden center. They need to know. So they can hopefully do something for you. But if they are good, try to do something about the rest of the plants they have that might have pests. To prevent from selling more pesty plants



You can call me Bob

[scy]

Silken & Help: Thanks for the suggestion of contacting the seller. I did contact them and they have offered compensation. Fortunately, I took detailed photos of everything as soon as I noticed them and was able to document it properly.

I am sorry to hear about your pest problem.
I have had nasty experience with mealybugs on houseplants couple years ago. They attacked my huge beaucarnea and then spread to several palm tree seedlings that I grew from seeds, they were in opposite corner of the room. One of the little seedlings had new growth resembling a cotton swab. From my experience conventional methods like soapy water and rubbing alcohol didn't really help much. I ended up buying chemicals, some liquid from HD claiming to kill all kinds of bugs.
Please keep your healthy plants far away as those bugs are easily and very fast spreading.
Good luck.

[silken]

Glad to hear the seller compensated you for your troubles. A good dealer would be concerned and would want to know as the scale would just spread to the rest of their stock.

I hope you can rid of the darn things.