systemics with orchid pests

[lnellone]

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.