To Spray or Not to Spray
 

Okay, so I have been taking care of my mother's orchids for a bit. She's out of town for a week. She has been gone a few days and her orchids have stupidly been with mine. Today I noticed mealies on 2 of her plants! I sprayed the two with Orthonex (systemic) and quarantined them ...but I'm worried about mine. Should I just assume that hers infected mine and spray them as well? Or wait until I see a visible sign? One or two of my plants may in fact have been touching the infected ones. :nailbite: I'm worried.

And I'm kicking myself for not checking over hers before letting them near mine... I just assumed she would have told me of any problems, so I am guessing she didn't know about the outbreak...I don't think she pays attention. *sigh

I don't treat for pests or disease unless I find it. Just keep an eye on your plants and treat if infected.
Joann

I would definatly spray prevention is better than going oh crap later ...and if you have the spay you evidently are comfortable using it on your plants or you would not have it......now if you have used it on youres in the recent past and its systemic then the question is how long ago ....is it still present in your plants since it is systemic you may be good for a while but that depends on the period of time it is effective good for between applications

Last time I used it on any of my plants was Aug 3. I had just bought a new mini and it apparently came infected. I caught it early on and only one of my other orchids was affected. I'm not sure how long the stuff stays in the plants system.
...After reading what you guys posted and thinking things over more thoroughly...I think I'll be cautious and just keep on the look out. I've only been growing since Feb. so my orchids have had some ups and downs as I learn. They are doing good at the moment, and as they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." :) I will be very unhappy though if I do find any critters on them, the last thing they need is more stress. ...just like people. lolol :D

an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure....i would spray em all and not worry any more....

LOL If I buy something for that pourpose and bugs have came in everything gets treated ...I used to run a big G/h at a retail nursery and one bug sighted was prevention time they do like to travel ...now if I had just brough them in and spotted them right off maybe not,but if they had been in the area for 2 or 3 days already then spray it would be.

I have no problem with carefull use of whatever it takes no hold barred chemical warfare .....bugs will die

I am also in the prevention is better than cure camp ,i spray my orchids periodically and when i see any pests.
Mealies are a ******** to get rid of .
You need to get on top of them .

What harm would it do to spray?
What harm would it do not to spray?

Ok, I take it all back. lol. Just found a baby mealy hiking on one of my leaves...i'm going to spray them all!!!!!! *mwhahahahahahaha <-evil laughter

Here's a pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../P1010286b.jpg

I guess I should be nice and spray the rest of my mother's orchids as well...even though :evil:

If you don't they will always be a problem and the plants will suffer ,spray them to kill them all together hopefully or at least keep them at bay .If you don't they will rapidly multiply !