Hi all,

I am wondering what people do for preemptive critter and crud prevention.

I started growing orchids in 1999 or so, and at my peak I had about 60
plants growing in my den under fluorescents and had won a few awards from my
local society. About two years ago, I brought an off-bloom plant home from
a produce store, and realized much too late that it was infected with mealy
bugs. I was unable to control the critters (hesitant to use potent
chemicals because I grow indoors), and after a long infestation, I declared
"uncle" and reluctantly got rid of my collection.

Sigh.

Fortunately, I got a nice bonus from my current client, and was able to
start a new collection this winrer. Currently, I have about thirty NBS/BS
plants (phals, milts, and phrags) in the same den.

This weekend, I was watering my plants and noticed some crud growing in a
pot (it was a white hairy mold, but I'm not sure exactly what it was) that
some 1t/G Physan took care of. When I was looking at another plant, I
thought I saw baby mealy bugs (*^$$&&!), but my 18x loupe just revealed the
I am just paranoid (but I am picking up my low-power stereo microscope from
my mom just to be sure).

Let me reinforce the fact that I am a bit paranoid about Critters and Crud
right infecting my orchids. What is the orchid equivalent of a tinfoil hat?
Bathe in neem-oil?

I am curious as to what people do for preemptive plant maintianence for_
indoor_ growing. I could fog my den with a combo of Orthene, Dianazin, and
Malthalion and water with 100% Physan, but that is a bit overkill. My
primary concerns are human/cat health (ie, non-death) and preventing
breeding super bugs / super mold), but I would like to do my best to prevent
future problems.

Thoughts? Thanks.

--Matt