Systemic insectide
 

:hello
I want to treat my orchids outside prior to bringing them in and some bag babies that arrived with scale. I purchased these three products in Home Depot. I wasn't sure which one would be best or if I should keep more than one to use in a rotation.

The all say that they are safe for use on roses. I want to use it as a drench in the pots.


The first one is:
Spectracide Malathion
Insect Spray Concentrate
50% malathion (says it contains xylene range aromatic solvent)

The second one is:
Ortho Rose and Flower Insect and disease control
Acetamiprid .26%
Triticonazole .78%

The third one is:
Bayer Advanced 3-in-1
Insect, Disease, & Mite Control
Imidacloprid .47%
Tau-Fluvalinate .61%
Tebuconazole .65%

I would greatly appreciate advice and suggestions. :bowing

I have never treated my orchids with anything but alcohol (plan to soon get neem oil) as my spouse holds degrees in biochemistry/biophysics/immunology and will not allow pesticides to be used on anything coming inside (except the granular systemic). He's not happy that we spray our fruit trees with captan and malathion.
So....
I use malathion on the fruit trees and it does a really great job. Just be certain to use eye and mouth/nose protection, then wash very well, as it is a pesticide.
I only have used granular systemic (I have roses and also use this on the hibiscus) but the liquid form is likely just as effective though not as long lasting.
Others, thankfully, will be able to give better advice.

Yea, I bought (from the paint department section @ Lowes) some coveralls, and then went and got some goggles, and a respirator mask... I've heard Malathion is some truly nasty stuff. Better safe than sorry! I can't remember where I heard this (which forum), but I have heard of a few older orchid growers that (back in the day) sprayed with Malathion (& others too, I'm sure), and now they have serious health problems b/c they didn't use protection... I had avoided buying it, b/c of reading about stories like those. But, now that I got a proper respirator mask (the kind with the pink cartridges) and a coverall suit, along with goggles, I will look stupid, but I'd rather be healthy! :nod:

Also, they say to spray with imacloprid (especially) you should do so before the bees are out.. Early morning, or late afternoon. Because it is very hard on the Bee population. :(

Mary Linn,
Great suggestions. Thank you

---------- Post added at 04:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:28 PM ----------

Does it work as well if we water the orchid with it and not spray it all over the plant?

I don't know, that's a very good question! I'd like to know myself. :hmm

I hope someone can help with that question. It would make it easier to apply

No ....it is not advisable to water the plant with this chemicals on a regular basis. You only do this to kill the insects and then stop....if the insects are still back then spray again then stop.

These are the big guns....
I use home made remedies first before I resort to chemicals.
If these chemicals can kill insects with thick exoskeletons....then it can also kill humans and their pets= that is why the chemist husband does not allow it to be taken indoors.
Read the warnings= it really scares me.
But I have these chemicals and I use it only as a last resort and I bring the plant down to the dumpsters of my apartment building and then spray it there with all the necessary precautions of skin, eye, nose and mouth .....I inhale and hold my breath as I spray then run away 20 meters before I breath again. The smell stays on my clothes for a long time so I throw it in the bio-hazard thrash. I was so miffed that I had to throw away my favorite jeans, the first time=now I know what to wear before I spray....grrrr

Thanks Bud. I think I will just water with it the first time and spray with Sucrashield.

Bud, after spraying, you can soak your clothes in hot water, rinse very well, then wash. That is what we do. I always shower right away (spraying trees is nasty), too.
I find that soaking plants in water for a few hours kills most insects and then using isopropyl alcohol does a fair job. I plan to buy neem oil, too.
Good luck!