"Ray B" wrote in message
news:UO6Mh.14001$el3.5242@trndny01...
FWIW, I find that so-called "insecticidal soaps" offer no advantage over
ordinary household liquid dishwashing detergents, and the same might be
said for horticultural oils compared to vegetable cooking oils.

My preferred spray for spot treatments is a tablespoon each of cooking oil
and liquid dishwashing soap (I use a brand made from 100% vegetable and
fruit oils) in a quart of water.

Wouldn't that leave the plants a sticky oily mess?


--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"BruceM" wrote in message
...
Our local Home depot's, Ace Hardware stores, feed and seed (like Tractor
supply, TSC) and all the organic garden stores carry inseciticidal soaps,
usually the brand called Safer.



"Bob Walsh" wrote in message
. ..
I don't know about Home Depot but you could check Wallgreens or Ace or
others like grocers, hardware, ect.

Bob

"Minelli Family" wrote in message
...

"Bob Walsh" wrote in message
...
I recently had an infestation of mites. I talked to Jerry Fischer at
Orchids Ltd. and he said to use insecticidal soap three times three
days apart on all plants in the growing area. The problem seems greatly
diminished, if not gone.

I will spray all the plants before bringing them in next fall.

Others have said just spraying mites with water is effective.
I like the soap. I want them dead.

Regarding the inside insects, put 3 quarts of water in a gallon
container, add one pint of alcohol and
one pint of orange 409. Spray weekly.

I don't order online anymore after several disappointing experiences.
Would Home Depot carry Orange 409 and the soaps? I know they carry the
usual insecticides.

I was at an Orchid class recently and one of the speaker/vendors
announced that he had some plants with that he would no longer sell.
He offered to show all who wanted to see why. The plants were in clear
plastic pots. He had dropped one and when he picked it up and checked
it for breakage he noticed mealy bug larva on many of the roots.
Sprays won't kill those. unpotting, dipping and repotting will, but I
wonder about the eggs.... Are they laid topside or down around the
roots as well?

I had cactus infested with root mealys about 10 years ago. I soaked
them, in their pots, in Malathion and covered them with a plastic sheet
for 24 hours to hold the fumes in. I did this a week apart for several
weeks. It got them all. But now they may be resistant to Malathion. I
believe the eggs are laid in the soil around the roots.