Mealy infestation in large collection (institute sized)

[james mickelso]

I say let the collection die. I know that sounds drastic but the director is a troglodyte. Spraying with an approved insecticide/fungicide shouldn't be an issue. It's like saying, "if God had wanted man to go to the moon, He would have put him there." Spraying, in the low doses prescribed, has such negligible effects on us it's foolish to allow a collection like this to die due to his stupidity. We breathe in more crap in one day than what will be sprayed on the collection. So in my opinion, let the collection die and maybe the board will get rid of him. Then maybe someone with some common sense will replace him.

[lazaah]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I say let the collection die. I know that sounds drastic but the director is a troglodyte. Spraying with an approved insecticide/fungicide shouldn't be an issue. It's like saying, "if God had wanted man to go to the moon, He would have put him there." Spraying, in the low doses prescribed, has such negligible effects on us it's foolish to allow a collection like this to die due to his stupidity. We breathe in more crap in one day than what will be sprayed on the collection. So in my opinion, let the collection die and maybe the board will get rid of him. Then maybe someone with some common sense will replace him.

I really have to bite my tounge to this reply. I almost consider your comment racist, and I cannot stand people whom try to use "if God had wanted man to go to the moon, He would have put him there" to prove a point. "If God wanted Americans on the earth, he would have put them there", its a complete rubbish statement! On top of that, it is this attitude, from your generation, that has got this planet into the state it is in. The less toxic chemicals used in day-to-day situations the better. Negligible effects on us at the point of time while spraying, but what as every man and his orchid house is spraying and discharging into the environment where it is bioaccumilated? This is a botanical garden where a healthy ecosystem is encouraged. I don't mean to offend you but pull your head in buddy.

Just to clarify, I am a volunteer and am being relied on not out of laziness but out from need for lack of funding which is a systemic problem for ANY not-for-profit institution in New Zealand (and probably the world). They have taken up my offer to help as I am a locally-reputable undergraduate botanical ecology student with well-known enthusiam for orchids, that is able to work independantly and thus not require them to sink resources they don't have into training someone.

Ray, Orchid Whisperer, and lepetitmartien exactly the advice I needed.

I'll keep you all updated, I imagine this will be a long battle.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by lazaah

The less toxic chemicals used in day-to-day situations the better. Negligible effects on us at the point of time while spraying, but what as every man and his orchid house is spraying and discharging into the environment where it is bioaccumilated? This is a botanical garden where a healthy ecosystem is encouraged.

I agree - and I am sure the silent majority does too!

If this was "biting your tongue", then I would love to see a full-blown reply

[Hiester]

Originally Posted by lazaah

I really have to bite my tounge to this reply. I almost consider your comment racist, and I cannot stand people whom try to use "if God had wanted man to go to the moon, He would have put him there" to prove a point. "If God wanted Americans on the earth, he would have put them there", its a complete rubbish statement! On top of that, it is this attitude, from your generation, that has got this planet into the state it is in. The less toxic chemicals used in day-to-day situations the better. Negligible effects on us at the point of time while spraying, but what as every man and his orchid house is spraying and discharging into the environment where it is bioaccumilated? This is a botanical garden where a healthy ecosystem is encouraged. I don't mean to offend you but pull your head in buddy.

Just to clarify, I am a volunteer and am being relied on not out of laziness but out from need for lack of funding which is a systemic problem for ANY not-for-profit institution in New Zealand (and probably the world). They have taken up my offer to help as I am a locally-reputable undergraduate botanical ecology student with well-known enthusiam for orchids, that is able to work independantly and thus not require them to sink resources they don't have into training someone.

Ray, Orchid Whisperer, and lepetitmartien exactly the advice I needed.

I'll keep you all updated, I imagine this will be a long battle.

You are the one who said '... it does seem it could be either do it or loose the collection. How does one argue for that?' (emphasis added). So it sounds like you have at the very least considered asking the garden director if you could use chemicals other than those considered "organic" and "earth friendly". This comes off sounding like a mighty high horse you've placed yourself on after the statement from you thus quoted.

[HighSeas]

Originally Posted by lazaah

I really have to bite my tounge to this reply. I almost consider your comment racist, and I cannot stand people whom try to use.....

Now THAT was a rant. Actually...YOU asked for advice and while multiple people were kind enough to share their "opinions", I simply don't understand the point of coming back with an insult to the one opinion that you don't agree with. That was rude. Shall we turn THAT into a "generational" issue? Lighten up and get yourself some manners.

Originally Posted by lazaah

I don't mean to offend you but pull your head in buddy.

Seriously? Really? Being "offensive" is EXACTLY what your intent was. Save it and perhaps brush up on your approach.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

Now THAT was a rant. Actually...YOU asked for advice and while multiple people were kind enough to share their "opinions", I simply don't understand the point of coming back with an insult to the one opinion that you don't agree with. That was rude. Shall we turn THAT into a "generational" issue? Lighten up and get yourself some manners.



Seriously? Really? Being "offensive" is EXACTLY what your intent was. Save it and perhaps brush up on your approach.

errrr..........insulting a Director of a Botanical Garden as a "troglodyte" is OK ? And making further comments against the Director that had no place in a reply ? Like let all the plants die as some sort of a life lesson ? Where is your outrage against these uncalled for statements against someone who the poster doesn't know and has an opinion that he doesn't agree with ?

[HighSeas]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

errrr..........insulting a Director of a Botanical Garden as a "troglodyte" is OK ? And making further comments against the Director that had no place in a reply ? Like let all the plants die as some sort of a life lesson ? Where is your outrage against these uncalled for statements against someone who the poster doesn't know and has an opinion that he doesn't agree with ?

Let's start with the first concept that you apparently don't understand. I'm not outraged about anything and I'm certainly not one to be "prompted" into outrage, as you suggest, based on yours or anyone else's opinion. That said....

A "troglodyte" is a cave dweller. (Big deal) I'm sorry, but that just doesn't seem to be a call for alarm to me. Then again...I'm not one to get overly excited or emotional about things that really don't matter.

I'll leave that to you....

[orchidsarefun]

" Then again...I'm not one to get overly excited or emotional about things that really don't matter. I'll leave that to you...."


the irony is you felt obliged to make your original comment despite this stated "belief".
I suggest you look up the appropriateness of using capitals on an internet posting because its evident that you don't know the etiquette involved in doing so and the message it sends to an informed reader. Maybe also the gratuitous use of emoticons ?
As for me being "emotional", I do respond when the messenger is attacked, and not the message. Especially on a selective basis.