Going Offense!

[Hugorchids]

Weapon of choice: Mustard seed powder and Neem oil.

This weekend, I finally took the time to take care of some annoying problems in my greenhouse. I grow my orchids in baskets and they're these little tiny slugs and minute snails. They're tiny to see and hide in between the mediums of my pots. I had read that grounded mustard sees work pretty well to take care of these pets, has anymore had any luck? I tried used Sluggo pellets and those things turn moldy and nasty, so no more. I used a coffee grinder to grind up the mustard seeds and it worked pretty well. Took a taste of it too, leaves a slight oily and spicey after taste!

I am also experimenting with Neem oil but I haven't used it yet, I'm concerned with how it will any affect on certain species of orchids with sensitive roots. Masdavallias, phals, and paphs, any suggestions?

pests that I have are, slugs, pillbugs (lots of pillbugs), a few spider mites, spiders (yes won't harm orchids, but got to go!)

Any other suggestions?

[Junebug]

I've never heard of using mustard seed powder. I wonder if it's the same thing as powdered mustard. Will you be mixing the mustard and neem with water?

Spiders are o.k. with me as long as they're not poisonous. I haven't had to treat for pill bugs, but the snails have been keeping me busy this summer. I'm with you, I don't like the snail baits either. My snails wouldn't touch the stuff and it's nasty. The best luck I've had so far is placing sliced potatoes on the top of the medium just before dark. You flip the taters over the next morning and hand pick and destroy the snails. Slow process, but it reduces their numbers, plus you get the satisfaction of smashing the snails. In addition I've tried sprinkling spent dried coffee grounds on top of the medium.

My results: no snail sightings for about 2 weeks and my chid roots aren't getting chewed.

Let us know if the mustard treatment works. Good luck.