Thrips and Vandas...darn my blasted spike!

[JennS]

Can anyone tell me how to treat for these buggers, what they look like (if I can see them) and anything else I might want/need to know to save my spikes in the future? Would Malithion work? What about something else?

It is so frustrating babying the heck out of this plant and seeing a spike that looked so pretty only to see it dead another day! (Sigh) Any help would be certainly appreciated! Thanks!

[Swamper]

permethrin is what I use as soon as I see a spike and all thru the blooming, on the whole plant not just the spike....and this article might be of interest to you. thrip spray, Thrip Spray, THRIP SPRAY, thrip treatment, Thrip Treatment, THRIP TREATMENT, thrips, Thrips, THRIPS, thrip attack, Thrip Attack, THRIP ATTACK, thrip bite, Thrip Bite, THRIP BITE, thrip spray, Thrip Spray, THRIP SPRAY, thrips, Thrips, THR

[JennS]

Well, seeing as how the word Thrip is in the link about 50 times it will definitely help! Thanks Swamper! I will check it out ASAP. I guess I should be proactive about checking for bugs since I grow outdoors. I usually don't get worried unless I see some evidence of something. A good preventive regimine is in order then! Thanks a bunch!!!

[Swamper]

yeah sorry about the way that link popped up I wonder why? But anyway other than thrips and the possible temp/environment change...I got nothing

[JennS]

Yeah..I am sure they weren't too happy with the move indoors, the lack of light (still bright, but nothing matches being outside), and different watering pattern, plus the temps. Not hot enough/enough change? who knows... At least this one blooms a couple times a year, so maybe again in Dec or Jan. We'll see... I really wanted to post pics though because someone wanted to see it (it has a courlea influence, sorry on the spelling). It is my avatar though, so nothing new really! Still sad though. I do have one mystery 'chid in bud though so at least I might get to end the mystery on what kind it is soon! Yay!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by JennS

Can anyone tell me how to treat for these buggers, what they look like (if I can see them) and anything else I might want/need to know to save my spikes in the future? Would Malithion work? What about something else?

It is so frustrating babying the heck out of this plant and seeing a spike that looked so pretty only to see it dead another day! (Sigh) Any help would be certainly appreciated! Thanks!

Malathion appears to be registered as a treatment for thrips, so I suspect it's been tested.

[dgenovese1]

Hi Jenn,

I use Orthene...the chemical name being Acephate...to treat thrips. It does not damage the flowers, although sometimes it does leave a small bit of whitish residue on the petals. The only really bad thing about it is the smell, which is added to the chemical so that when used in farming, workers know that it has been applied to crops. The smell doesn't last long once it is dried.

I get it as Acephate at a local farm supply company, but I have seen it at several orchid nurseries being sold under its trade name Orthene.

[JennS]

Thanks everyone. After a reading of the label (I tend to ignore those labels...hehe) on the malition I realized it is applicable to treating thrips. I will just use that up since I have it on hand.

Anybody know if it can harm the plants if it gets on the roots? I have never treated a bare root vanda for anything yet, and wouldn't want to harm them. Thanks!

[Swamper]

you need to spray the entire plant from top to bottom, including roots

[JennS]

Thanks Swamper! I will do that ASAP.