Do you think my Onc. Twinkle likes coffee?

[rbarata]

I've read a study that watering with a solution of caffeine 2% is efficient ti kill any slugs in the medium.
What do you think?

[Ray]

If you have slugs in the medium, you're better off repotting.

[rbarata]

I believe they float, right?

[Dollythehun]

They crawl up the stems and you pick them off (ugh). But, I think Ray's right, there might be eggs. Awhile back, Leafmite quoted a study on that coffee treatment too.

[rbarata]

The problem here is that it was repotted 2wks ago with fresh medium.

[Dollythehun]

Then how can you have slugs? Or are you trying to prevent them? I'm confused.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Check this link: Neuroscience for Kids - Slugs, Snails and Caffeine

The article is aimed at children, so the science is probably simplified, but it suggests that caffeine could be used to repel or kill slugs. "Repel" is suggested by the fact that slugs avoided cabbage leaves sprayed with caffeine.

Caveat: the caffeine also kills certain frogs according to the article. I don't know if is toxic to other amphibians; caffeine can be bad for other non-amphibian animals. Caffeine could be less toxic than other slug control chemicals, so I might try caffeine next time heavy rains seem to bring the pests out of the woods.

[Dollythehun]

"The article is aimed at children, so the science is probably simplified"

From my inner child, thank you.

[rbarata]

Then how can you have slugs? Or are you trying to prevent them? I'm confused.

I (the Oncidium) have slugs, tiny ones. Probably the medium had eggs.

Can't find the article. I've read caffeine is also toxic to orchids (prevents root growing and damages the root tips). Does anyone had experienced it?

[Dollythehun]

That orchid link OW sent talks about orchid snails.