No comparison! The oil-based liquids just dissolve the tissues of plants. In the "old days" (I'm over 60) we used to mix deisel with 2-4,d to spray forests for "weed species" like oak. The oil made the spray absorb into the tissue in a very high rate. The Mineral Spirits by itself will kill most soft-leaved species, like orchids, often overnight.

Why don't you take your husband and dunk him in hot water? See how he likes it!
Oops, sorry hunny it was an accident...

:lol:

The Phal that got dunked is doing surprisingly well. The blooms that I thought were going to fall (they were wilting pretty badly) perked up and now look good as new.

I'm going to repot my other Phal in S/H today. It's in the new growth stage, with four buds on it. Wish me luck!!

I got another plant (posted about it in another thread) as a replacement for a plant I bought 3 weeks ago that started rotting (it was under warrenty). It had dark gouge marks on it, and I was worried, so I posted pics. Replies said pics looked like either mechanical damage or fungus, I sprayed with Phalum (sp) 20 twice. Not sure if I should return the return and get a third orchid or see what happens with this one.

Niki

Hi Niki! is great to know your phal recovered fine :)

keep us posted on the other 'chid though ;)

:goodluck: with the s/h

Thanks! I'm hoping that since the other Phal is showing new growth, it'll quickly adjust to the new medium. I'm sterlizing my scissors now and then I'll pull it out of the pot, trim the roots back, and pot it. :biggrin:

I will keep you all posted on the other 'chid. I'm really thinking about bringing it back, because I really wanted another Tiger Crow Golden girl (that was the original one I had). And they didn't have any left. but, I'm hesitant to take it back because the location I got the original orchid from gave me such crap for returning it (even though the receipt says that orchids are gaurenteed for 30 days) and I know they'll have a fit if I bring the new one back and say that people I know who grow orchids say that it could be fungus and that I want another one. But, I don't want to lose the new one....you know?

The only good thing about all of this, is that through the experience of trying to find orchind food and Phylum (sp) 20, and KLN, and S/H medium, I found this amazing orchid nursary where I will be purchasing all the rest of my 'chids from. They know what they're doing...they've done S/H, they know Ray, and their orchids look like they're in amazing condition.

Niki