systemics with orchid pests - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Bolero · #11 03-21-2008, 09:23 PM

I use baits as well around my growing area and I rarely seem slugs in my plants. Although occasionally they hide in the medium......then when the flower comes into bud they eat the bud before it opens. This hasn't happened in a while.

I would suggest the baits and I also use a systemic (which is very dangerous). The systemic gets them once they start chewing which may be to late for some. But it doesn't just keep away slugs but also catterpillars, mealy bugs and scale. I haven't had scale or mealies in years.

Just be careful if you choose to use it.

lnellone · #12 03-22-2008, 08:45 AM

I have a large greenhouse that is shared by 2 other members of our orchid society. Last summer we had a terrible problem with scale, both hard and soft. We tried the spray every 7-10 day method and still had them. With the number of plants in there, it is hard to get under all of leaves, etc.

As a last resort, I used Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Drench, mixed at a rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon. It is a systemic and had an insect growth regulator (I think that is the phrase!). It worked very well. After one month, we checked all of the plants and any scale we did find were dead. You can google it and read about it on line. It is deemed safe for Roses, so we gave it a shot, and held our breath. We have seen no harm to any of the plants from using it.

As a preventative, we sprayed the whole greenhouse again this spring.

Most of our plants are in Semi-Hydro, so we waited a little longer than usual to water again to give the plants time to "soak it up" so to speak.

Good luck.

Ray · #13 03-22-2008, 10:21 AM

The active ingredient in the bayer stuff is imidicloprid - Merit.

One thing you might consider is the use of insect growth regulators (IGRs). I like Enstar II, and apply it with the Orthene or Merit.

In such applications, the poison does a knock-down of the living adults, and does provide some systemic protection (although it is more rapidly diluted in orchids than with other plants), and the IGR prevents all stages of the insect from maturing. Lack of maturation means lack of reproduction, so there are fewer adults to carry on the population.

I treat three times at weekly intervals in an attempt to do as complete a coverage as possible, as it is difficult to wet each and every surface each time, although you should try.

lnellone · #14 03-22-2008, 12:43 PM

Thanks for the tip about mixing with Orthene. Never thought to do that! We had "knocked 'em down" with our weekly sprays, but couldn't seem to really get the critters under control until using the IGR.