Right on, Tennis.

Orthenex is a combo deal - insecticide, miticide, fungicide - while orthene
is just the insecticide (the active one in Orthenex - acephate). While
Orthenex may have the "advantage" of being a broad-spectrum pesticide, I
usually recommend the Orthene instead, as it's 1) far more bang for the buck
from a bug-killing perspective (70% acephate & higher are commonly
available, as opposed to the 4% in the original Orthenex), and 2) water
soluble, so there is no need for the potentially-damaging hydrocarbons used
to keep the other ingredients of Orthenex in liquid form.

I also highly recommend the use of Enstar II, and insect growth regulator.
While stuff like Merit and Orthene kill on contact or with a temporary
residual systemic action, the IGR prevents all stages of the insect from
maturing, thereby preventing reproduction, which can really help collapse a
population.

--

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


"tenman" wrote in message
...
Chris Savas wrote:
In article om,
(Chris Savas) wrote:

Hi, all,

I have been using Orthenex in my general insect controll spraying. I
have been buying and using the 16 Fl oz size, but have run out. I have
looked in five different stores and can't find it.
So, what should I look for to use on my orchids (just over 100 plants)? I
have spotted a couple of plants that have some cottony scale. I have
used it because it is systemic.


Thanks.
Chris in Central Florida
(Remove not from the address to respond directly.)

..

Hi, again,

Today, I went to two hardware stores in search of Orthenex. At the first
place, I found a similar product mfg'd by the Ortho Group. I then went
to the second store and found the same 'new' item, but at $2 less than at
the first place for a 16-oz bottle (liquid). The recommended dosage is
the same for both the Orthenex and this 'new' item. For comparison, I
have included the ingredients of the Orthenex and of the 'new' product.

Orthenex Ortho Systemic
Protection from Systemic Insect Killer Controls
Insects, Diseases, Mites Insects & Mites

Active Ingredients Active Ingredients

Acephate 4.00% Acephate
8.00%
Triforine 3.25 - -
Fenbutatin-oxide 0.75 Fenbutatin-oxide 0.5
(Hexakis) (Hexakis)
Other Ingredients 92.00 Other Ingredients 91.50

Unless anyone can say why I shouldn't use this product, I think I will
try it. I don't know what Triforine was suppose to do or why it no
longer is included.

Chris

Triforine is an antifungal. The 'other ingredients' would be mostly
petroleum distillates which means don't spray unless the plants are going
to be completely dry before the sun hits them or they'll burn like under a
magnifying glass.