Pesticide vs. anti-bacterial
 

Please forgive my beginner's ignorance, but are bugs and bacteria considered the same or different? Does the 409/rubbing alcohol/water recipe do the same as unflavored Listerine? How do these home remedies compare to Physan 20? Are these pesticides or anti-bacterials? hmmmmm....help please :scratchhead:

Never a dumb question on this board. "Bugs" are insects; the creeping crawly kind of thing that you usually can see. Bacteria are the microscopic stuff that ususually causes plants and humams to smell nasty when infected. Physan 20 and RD-20 are bactericidal, anti-fungal and anti-viral. They do nothing for insect infestions. While I've personally never used the "home remedies", I've read many positive acolades to their benefits.

Nope. Bugs is bugs and diseases are diseases. Bacteria may be considered bugs, but are treated as if diseases. You'll read lotsa home remedies here (and most work just fine, even if only for the person recommending them.) My recommendation is get some systemic rot/bacteria/mold spray safe for orchids. There are three I can recommend (you only need 1 or 2.) Physan 20 Physan 20 I'll let you read the label. It's effective on algae, mild mold, etc.

Another is Thiomyl: Thiomyl OSG23: Camp Lot A Noise Tropicals which is great for beginning stages of crown, leaf and root rot. It's a systemic.

Another possible is Phyton 27: Kelley's Korner Orchid Supplies which is a systemic relative to Physan 20.

As for bugs, I suggest several alternatives: Safers Soap, Neem Oil, Schultz brand 'Garden Safe Houseplant and Garden Insect Spray'.

The ones you list (alcohol/water, listerine, etc. are mostly bacteria treatments/preventatives. The ones I list are just as safe and tested for their intended use - not homeopathic remedies.

Aha....this clears up so much!! Now my shopping list is down to about 3 things instead of about 10!!!! Thank you so much!!!

The alcohol/409 mix is actually for scale...bugs...not bacteria or disease. ;)

I just have to ask: where does the name Lumpy come from? My grandson's (Louie, or Louis) nickname is Lumpy - as in Louie Lumpkins or just Lumpy for short.

haha - :blushing: Nickname from my husband. I have lots of lumps and bumps on my skull, none are visible though....but I guess they would be if I shaved my head.

hey cb, since your from kinda close around here, do you know where I can pick up some physan 20 around Orlando? I've hit about 10 stores around here and cant find it!

Did you check Physan, Camp Lot A Noise Tropicals, Orchids, Orchid, orchids, orchid, Physan20 ?

I use copper compounds or antibiotics to kill bacteria.
For orchids, the most annoying bacterial disease is soft rots which usually cause sudden death of the plant.

Some bactericides available in Taiwan:
1. Tetracyclin
2. Streptomycin
3. Kasugamycin
4. Copper hydroxide
5. Oxine copper