Today wasn't my best orchid day. After the pick up from Ecuagenera when I did find out my Lepanthes never made the trip from Ecuador, I came back home to find out that my unopen buds on my Cattleya luteola are gone
I was scared when I got this orchid that I did kill the buds maybe due to my re potting it and mounting when buds were in sheath, but I did actually kill it with ORANGE GUARD. Ok, I have never used anything against the ants, I am growing outside in Florida and let's be honest, ants are there. They never ever bothered any of my plants. They did love the open blooms on Encyclia cochleata, but never did any damage to them. BUT when the buds pushed through the sheath on luteola, for some reason, they got crazy, and ambush the buds. After 2 days I saw some spots on the buds, so I got scared and knew if I do not do something it won't be good. I went to my orchid vendor and got ORANGE GUARD. I did ask if it is safe for blooms, buds etc, and was told it is safe even around the food and animals. Ok, so I did spray buds, plant, area around and added the spike on Encychlia cochleata as well, because it is safe! Well, this is the thing - the ant GONE, works great, however the open bloom on cochleata is gone also, got weird soggy destroyed, and the worst, both buds on luteola are gone also - stupid me, did not cut the sheath to release the orange guard that was trapped inside the sheath and pretty much rotten both buds
I can blame only myself, I guess it just was not meant to be for me this time to see the gorgeous blooms on luteola, and I did learn my lesson. ORANGE GUARD works great, BUT it may kill some open blooms and one must be careful about the buds and trapped liquid. As I said, not a great orchid Saturday for me. Life goes on though
Orange Guard - Little Tip
Threaded Mode
