I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance from the
middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If left alone,
eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of the leaves. There
may be no relationship between these insects and the secretion. Unlike other
scale with which I am familiar, these appear wet. When you crush them there
is a lot of moisture involved. Other scales I have seen and treated are dry
and harder. Can anyone give me an idea what is happening. I have sprayed
with an Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones, usually
dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think these are called
boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing the sap with
progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges or in the leaf
axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with any pesticide that
kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I believe that is slowly being
pulled from the market (at least here in California) I've used plain old
70% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any
suspect areas for the next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone,
as long as it was only one plant and isolated away from my main collection
(like a phal on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a few
good newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here in teh US) that
should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for those I have to stand
in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours, reading the small print
until I find the one I want. Am I the only one or does Bayer's product
names all sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance from
the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If left alone,
eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of the leaves. There
may be no relationship between these insects and the secretion. Unlike
other scale with which I am familiar, these appear wet. When you crush
them there is a lot of moisture involved. Other scales I have seen and
treated are dry and harder. Can anyone give me an idea what is happening.
I have sprayed with an Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

The harder outer shell ones, usually dark brown, and the softer whiter
colored ones. (I think these are called boisduvial scale).

There is also cottony cushion scale that's soft and mushy. Starts out
looking like a chip of paint. There may be some sap present. Easy to kill
with alcohol.

Am I the only one or does Bayer's product names all sound the same to
everyone else, too?

Ditto!

Diana

This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the leaf. I
first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was walking around
one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but have used the Ortho oil
spray to smother them. The seem to come back. I will try the alcohol. What
has puzzled me is that the sap seems to come from nowhere...from just a tiny
pore in the leave. In any event, it is very slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones, usually
dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think these are called
boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing the sap with
progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges or in the leaf
axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with any pesticide that
kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I believe that is slowly being
pulled from the market (at least here in California) I've used plain old
70% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any
suspect areas for the next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone,
as long as it was only one plant and isolated away from my main collection
(like a phal on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a few
good newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here in teh US) that
should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for those I have to stand
in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours, reading the small print
until I find the one I want. Am I the only one or does Bayer's product
names all sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance from
the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If left alone,
eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of the leaves. There
may be no relationship between these insects and the secretion. Unlike
other scale with which I am familiar, these appear wet. When you crush
them there is a lot of moisture involved. Other scales I have seen and
treated are dry and harder. Can anyone give me an idea what is happening.
I have sprayed with an Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is sucking into
the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually notice small sappy
droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or the edge of the leaf. Sure
enough if I turn the leaf over there'll be a scale on the underside, or in a
few days there'll be a scale at the leaf margin. Sometimes my first
indication of trouble is (like you did) by seeing sappy 'spray' on the
windowsill when I clean up the kitchen. (No comments about my house
cleaning, now! *G*) Then I'll have to treat the plant with something or
other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of people. I
usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be sure. I usually
don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I believe these are sly,
conniving little critters that, just when you thik they're gone, they come
back, usually with a vengeance and in places that are a real pain in the
neck to get rid of them - like amongst the roots or under the p/bulb
sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere. Then
blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat. Slow going
indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down amongst the dried
old leaves and along the roots and everytime I think I have a handle on them
they come back. Frustrating. I'm about to toss the lot of them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the leaf.
I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was walking
around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but have used the
Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come back. I will try the
alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap seems to come from
nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In any event, it is very
slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones, usually
dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think these are called
boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing the sap with
progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges or in the leaf
axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with any pesticide that
kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I believe that is slowly being
pulled from the market (at least here in California) I've used plain old
70% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any
suspect areas for the next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone,
as long as it was only one plant and isolated away from my main collection
(like a phal on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a
few good newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here in teh US)
that should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for those I have to
stand in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours, reading the small
print until I find the one I want. Am I the only one or does Bayer's
product names all sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance from
the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If left alone,
eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of the leaves.
There may be no relationship between these insects and the secretion.
Unlike other scale with which I am familiar, these appear wet. When you
crush them there is a lot of moisture involved. Other scales I have seen
and treated are dry and harder. Can anyone give me an idea what is
happening. I have sprayed with an Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

There is an orchid nursery near where I live and I have been developing a
relationship with them. You know, buy something and talk and talk and talk.
What they suggested, and I showed them the plant, was to take the whole
plant and immerse it in the oil spray I am using. I have not done that
because of the quantity I would have to mix up, but I may still. In your
case, wehre the insects are hard to get at, perhaps this is a solution,
particularly if you do not want to loose the plant.

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is sucking
into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually notice small
sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or the edge of the
leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll be a scale on the
underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at the leaf margin.
Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like you did) by seeing sappy
'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up the kitchen. (No comments about
my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then I'll have to treat the plant with
something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of people. I
usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be sure. I
usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I believe these
are sly, conniving little critters that, just when you thik they're gone,
they come back, usually with a vengeance and in places that are a real
pain in the neck to get rid of them - like amongst the roots or under the
p/bulb sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere. Then
blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat. Slow going
indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down amongst the dried
old leaves and along the roots and everytime I think I have a handle on
them they come back. Frustrating. I'm about to toss the lot of them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the leaf.
I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was walking
around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but have used the
Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come back. I will try the
alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap seems to come from
nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In any event, it is very
slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones, usually
dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think these are
called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing the sap with
progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges or in the leaf
axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with any pesticide that
kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I believe that is slowly being
pulled from the market (at least here in California) I've used plain old
70% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any
suspect areas for the next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are
gone, as long as it was only one plant and isolated away from my main
collection (like a phal on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.)
There are a few good newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here
in teh US) that should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for
those I have to stand in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours,
reading the small print until I find the one I want. Am I the only one
or does Bayer's product names all sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance from
the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If left alone,
eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of the leaves.
There may be no relationship between these insects and the secretion.
Unlike other scale with which I am familiar, these appear wet. When you
crush them there is a lot of moisture involved. Other scales I have
seen and treated are dry and harder. Can anyone give me an idea what is
happening. I have sprayed with an Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

Mix one teaspoon each of cooking oil and liquid soap in a quart of water,
and spray the entire plant. The soap both emulsifies the oil and breaks
down the waxy coating on some insects, while the oil smothers them.

I recommend against immersing roots in oils, as the velamen can trap the oil
too well, potentially suffocating them.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
...
There is an orchid nursery near where I live and I have been developing a
relationship with them. You know, buy something and talk and talk and
talk. What they suggested, and I showed them the plant, was to take the
whole plant and immerse it in the oil spray I am using. I have not done
that because of the quantity I would have to mix up, but I may still. In
your case, wehre the insects are hard to get at, perhaps this is a
solution, particularly if you do not want to loose the plant.

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is sucking
into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually notice small
sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or the edge of the
leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll be a scale on the
underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at the leaf margin.
Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like you did) by seeing
sappy 'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up the kitchen. (No
comments about my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then I'll have to treat the
plant with something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of people.
I usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be sure. I
usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I believe
these are sly, conniving little critters that, just when you thik they're
gone, they come back, usually with a vengeance and in places that are a
real pain in the neck to get rid of them - like amongst the roots or
under the p/bulb sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere. Then
blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat. Slow
going indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down amongst the
dried old leaves and along the roots and everytime I think I have a
handle on them they come back. Frustrating. I'm about to toss the lot of
them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the leaf.
I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was walking
around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but have used the
Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come back. I will try the
alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap seems to come from
nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In any event, it is very
slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones,
usually dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think these
are called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing the sap
with progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges or in the
leaf axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with any
pesticide that kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I believe that
is slowly being pulled from the market (at least here in California)
I've used plain old 70% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush, to kill the
adults then wiped any suspect areas for the next few weeks to be sure
the eggs, larvae are gone, as long as it was only one plant and isolated
away from my main collection (like a phal on the kitchen window insrtead
of in the GH.) There are a few good newer pesticides on the market (made
by Bayer here in teh US) that should kill them off, too. I confess when
I look for those I have to stand in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly
for hours, reading the small print until I find the one I want. Am I
the only one or does Bayer's product names all sound the same to
everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance
from the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If left
alone, eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of the
leaves. There may be no relationship between these insects and the
secretion. Unlike other scale with which I am familiar, these appear
wet. When you crush them there is a lot of moisture involved. Other
scales I have seen and treated are dry and harder. Can anyone give me
an idea what is happening. I have sprayed with an Ortho Oil spray to no
avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

I had thought about that too. I have not dipped the whole plant as yet, but
if I do, I will figure out how to hold it upside down so that the roots do
not get immersed.

I have been also thinking about a systemic pesticide as thse critters seem
to be coming from the inside out. I do not know what the effect would be on
the roots, however.

Clinton
"Ray B" wrote in message
news:uaqmh.2476$NO5.1839@trndny01...
Mix one teaspoon each of cooking oil and liquid soap in a quart of water,
and spray the entire plant. The soap both emulsifies the oil and breaks
down the waxy coating on some insects, while the oil smothers them.

I recommend against immersing roots in oils, as the velamen can trap the
oil too well, potentially suffocating them.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
...
There is an orchid nursery near where I live and I have been developing a
relationship with them. You know, buy something and talk and talk and
talk. What they suggested, and I showed them the plant, was to take the
whole plant and immerse it in the oil spray I am using. I have not done
that because of the quantity I would have to mix up, but I may still. In
your case, wehre the insects are hard to get at, perhaps this is a
solution, particularly if you do not want to loose the plant.

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is sucking
into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually notice small
sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or the edge of the
leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll be a scale on the
underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at the leaf margin.
Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like you did) by seeing
sappy 'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up the kitchen. (No
comments about my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then I'll have to treat the
plant with something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of people.
I usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be sure. I
usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I believe
these are sly, conniving little critters that, just when you thik
they're gone, they come back, usually with a vengeance and in places
that are a real pain in the neck to get rid of them - like amongst the
roots or under the p/bulb sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere. Then
blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat. Slow
going indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down amongst
the dried old leaves and along the roots and everytime I think I have a
handle on them they come back. Frustrating. I'm about to toss the lot
of them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the
leaf. I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was
walking around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but have
used the Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come back. I
will try the alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap seems to come
from nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In any event, it is
very slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones,
usually dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think these
are called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing the
sap with progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges or in
the leaf axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with any
pesticide that kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I believe
that is slowly being pulled from the market (at least here in
California) I've used plain old 70% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush,
to kill the adults then wiped any suspect areas for the next few weeks
to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone, as long as it was only one plant
and isolated away from my main collection (like a phal on the kitchen
window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a few good newer pesticides on
the market (made by Bayer here in teh US) that should kill them off,
too. I confess when I look for those I have to stand in the aisle at
the nursery, seemingly for hours, reading the small print until I find
the one I want. Am I the only one or does Bayer's product names all
sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance
from the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If left
alone, eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of the
leaves. There may be no relationship between these insects and the
secretion. Unlike other scale with which I am familiar, these appear
wet. When you crush them there is a lot of moisture involved. Other
scales I have seen and treated are dry and harder. Can anyone give me
an idea what is happening. I have sprayed with an Ortho Oil spray to
no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

If it's a systemic like acephate (Orthene) or imidicloprid (Merit), it will
be absorbed with no damage to the plant.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I had thought about that too. I have not dipped the whole plant as yet,
but if I do, I will figure out how to hold it upside down so that the roots
do not get immersed.

I have been also thinking about a systemic pesticide as thse critters seem
to be coming from the inside out. I do not know what the effect would be
on the roots, however.

Clinton
"Ray B" wrote in message
news:uaqmh.2476$NO5.1839@trndny01...
Mix one teaspoon each of cooking oil and liquid soap in a quart of water,
and spray the entire plant. The soap both emulsifies the oil and breaks
down the waxy coating on some insects, while the oil smothers them.

I recommend against immersing roots in oils, as the velamen can trap the
oil too well, potentially suffocating them.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
...
There is an orchid nursery near where I live and I have been developing
a relationship with them. You know, buy something and talk and talk and
talk. What they suggested, and I showed them the plant, was to take the
whole plant and immerse it in the oil spray I am using. I have not done
that because of the quantity I would have to mix up, but I may still. In
your case, wehre the insects are hard to get at, perhaps this is a
solution, particularly if you do not want to loose the plant.

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is sucking
into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually notice
small sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or the edge of
the leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll be a scale on
the underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at the leaf margin.
Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like you did) by seeing
sappy 'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up the kitchen. (No
comments about my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then I'll have to treat the
plant with something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of people.
I usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be sure. I
usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I believe
these are sly, conniving little critters that, just when you thik
they're gone, they come back, usually with a vengeance and in places
that are a real pain in the neck to get rid of them - like amongst the
roots or under the p/bulb sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere.
Then blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat.
Slow going indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down
amongst the dried old leaves and along the roots and everytime I think
I have a handle on them they come back. Frustrating. I'm about to toss
the lot of them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the
leaf. I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was
walking around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but
have used the Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come back.
I will try the alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap seems to
come from nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In any event,
it is very slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones,
usually dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think
these are called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of noticing
the sap with progression to later seeing the adults at the leaf edges
or in the leaf axils is pretty typical for these insects. Treat with
any pesticide that kills scale. I used to use Malathion, but I
believe that is slowly being pulled from the market (at least here in
California) I've used plain old 70% isopropyl alcohol and a
toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any suspect areas for the
next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone, as long as it was
only one plant and isolated away from my main collection (like a phal
on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a few good
newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here in teh US) that
should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for those I have to
stand in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours, reading the
small print until I find the one I want. Am I the only one or does
Bayer's product names all sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance
from the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If
left alone, eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of
the leaves. There may be no relationship between these insects and
the secretion. Unlike other scale with which I am familiar, these
appear wet. When you crush them there is a lot of moisture involved.
Other scales I have seen and treated are dry and harder. Can anyone
give me an idea what is happening. I have sprayed with an Ortho Oil
spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

I spent some time today looking through the Internet for purchasing sources
for these chemicals and visited my local nursery. Is there an online place
to purchase either of these chemicals at a reasonable cost. That is of
course relative, but the quantities that my nursery has will last a life
time and then some. I only have a small number of plants that are problems,
about 15, and just want to try these things out. Unfortunately, I suppose,
I get attached to my plants, particularly when I have had them for awhile.

Clinton


"Ray B" wrote in message
news:WRLmh.1888$SQ1.301@trnddc03...
If it's a systemic like acephate (Orthene) or imidicloprid (Merit), it
will be absorbed with no damage to the plant.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I had thought about that too. I have not dipped the whole plant as yet,
but if I do, I will figure out how to hold it upside down so that the
roots do not get immersed.

I have been also thinking about a systemic pesticide as thse critters
seem to be coming from the inside out. I do not know what the effect
would be on the roots, however.

Clinton
"Ray B" wrote in message
news:uaqmh.2476$NO5.1839@trndny01...
Mix one teaspoon each of cooking oil and liquid soap in a quart of
water, and spray the entire plant. The soap both emulsifies the oil and
breaks down the waxy coating on some insects, while the oil smothers
them.

I recommend against immersing roots in oils, as the velamen can trap the
oil too well, potentially suffocating them.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
...
There is an orchid nursery near where I live and I have been developing
a relationship with them. You know, buy something and talk and talk and
talk. What they suggested, and I showed them the plant, was to take the
whole plant and immerse it in the oil spray I am using. I have not
done that because of the quantity I would have to mix up, but I may
still. In your case, wehre the insects are hard to get at, perhaps this
is a solution, particularly if you do not want to loose the plant.

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is
sucking into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually
notice small sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or the
edge of the leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll be a
scale on the underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at the
leaf margin. Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like you
did) by seeing sappy 'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up the
kitchen. (No comments about my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then I'll
have to treat the plant with something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of
people. I usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be
sure. I usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I
believe these are sly, conniving little critters that, just when you
thik they're gone, they come back, usually with a vengeance and in
places that are a real pain in the neck to get rid of them - like
amongst the roots or under the p/bulb sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere.
Then blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat.
Slow going indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down
amongst the dried old leaves and along the roots and everytime I think
I have a handle on them they come back. Frustrating. I'm about to
toss the lot of them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the
leaf. I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was
walking around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but
have used the Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come back.
I will try the alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap seems to
come from nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In any event,
it is very slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones,
usually dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think
these are called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of
noticing the sap with progression to later seeing the adults at the
leaf edges or in the leaf axils is pretty typical for these insects.
Treat with any pesticide that kills scale. I used to use Malathion,
but I believe that is slowly being pulled from the market (at least
here in California) I've used plain old 70% isopropyl alcohol and a
toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any suspect areas for the
next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone, as long as it
was only one plant and isolated away from my main collection (like a
phal on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a few
good newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here in teh US)
that should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for those I
have to stand in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours,
reading the small print until I find the one I want. Am I the only
one or does Bayer's product names all sound the same to everyone
else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance
from the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If
left alone, eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge of
the leaves. There may be no relationship between these insects and
the secretion. Unlike other scale with which I am familiar, these
appear wet. When you crush them there is a lot of moisture
involved. Other scales I have seen and treated are dry and harder.
Can anyone give me an idea what is happening. I have sprayed with an
Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

Go to your local Home Depot or Lowes and read the label on the "Bayer
Advanced" formulas, as they contain Merit.

I use the "12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control" at one ounce per gallon. I
prefer it to some of the other formulas, as they have other ingredients I
don't want.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I spent some time today looking through the Internet for purchasing sources
for these chemicals and visited my local nursery. Is there an online place
to purchase either of these chemicals at a reasonable cost. That is of
course relative, but the quantities that my nursery has will last a life
time and then some. I only have a small number of plants that are
problems, about 15, and just want to try these things out. Unfortunately,
I suppose, I get attached to my plants, particularly when I have had them
for awhile.

Clinton


"Ray B" wrote in message
news:WRLmh.1888$SQ1.301@trnddc03...
If it's a systemic like acephate (Orthene) or imidicloprid (Merit), it
will be absorbed with no damage to the plant.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I had thought about that too. I have not dipped the whole plant as yet,
but if I do, I will figure out how to hold it upside down so that the
roots do not get immersed.

I have been also thinking about a systemic pesticide as thse critters
seem to be coming from the inside out. I do not know what the effect
would be on the roots, however.

Clinton
"Ray B" wrote in message
news:uaqmh.2476$NO5.1839@trndny01...
Mix one teaspoon each of cooking oil and liquid soap in a quart of
water, and spray the entire plant. The soap both emulsifies the oil
and breaks down the waxy coating on some insects, while the oil
smothers them.

I recommend against immersing roots in oils, as the velamen can trap
the oil too well, potentially suffocating them.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
...
There is an orchid nursery near where I live and I have been
developing a relationship with them. You know, buy something and talk
and talk and talk. What they suggested, and I showed them the plant,
was to take the whole plant and immerse it in the oil spray I am
using. I have not done that because of the quantity I would have to
mix up, but I may still. In your case, wehre the insects are hard to
get at, perhaps this is a solution, particularly if you do not want to
loose the plant.

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is
sucking into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually
notice small sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or
the edge of the leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll
be a scale on the underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at
the leaf margin. Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like
you did) by seeing sappy 'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up
the kitchen. (No comments about my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then
I'll have to treat the plant with something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of
people. I usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to be
sure. I usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol, because I
believe these are sly, conniving little critters that, just when you
thik they're gone, they come back, usually with a vengeance and in
places that are a real pain in the neck to get rid of them - like
amongst the roots or under the p/bulb sheathes. Talk about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere.
Then blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat.
Slow going indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down
amongst the dried old leaves and along the roots and everytime I
think I have a handle on them they come back. Frustrating. I'm about
to toss the lot of them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the
leaf. I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I was
walking around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion, but
have used the Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come
back. I will try the alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap
seems to come from nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In
any event, it is very slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones,
usually dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think
these are called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of
noticing the sap with progression to later seeing the adults at the
leaf edges or in the leaf axils is pretty typical for these insects.
Treat with any pesticide that kills scale. I used to use Malathion,
but I believe that is slowly being pulled from the market (at least
here in California) I've used plain old 70% isopropyl alcohol and a
toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped any suspect areas for the
next few weeks to be sure the eggs, larvae are gone, as long as it
was only one plant and isolated away from my main collection (like a
phal on the kitchen window insrtead of in the GH.) There are a few
good newer pesticides on the market (made by Bayer here in teh US)
that should kill them off, too. I confess when I look for those I
have to stand in the aisle at the nursery, seemingly for hours,
reading the small print until I find the one I want. Am I the only
one or does Bayer's product names all sound the same to everyone
else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky substance
from the middle of their leaves. It something like tree sap. If
left alone, eventually some scale like insects appear on the edge
of the leaves. There may be no relationship between these insects
and the secretion. Unlike other scale with which I am familiar,
these appear wet. When you crush them there is a lot of moisture
involved. Other scales I have seen and treated are dry and harder.
Can anyone give me an idea what is happening. I have sprayed with
an Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry

Thanks. The nursery close to me has "12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control"
and I did not buy it because it was a huge bottle ($30) representing several
life time supplies. I can just add what is left over to my will.

Clinton

"Ray B" wrote in message
news:dA4nh.8769$tc5.2719@trnddc01...
Go to your local Home Depot or Lowes and read the label on the "Bayer
Advanced" formulas, as they contain Merit.

I use the "12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control" at one ounce per gallon.
I prefer it to some of the other formulas, as they have other ingredients
I don't want.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I spent some time today looking through the Internet for purchasing
sources for these chemicals and visited my local nursery. Is there an
online place to purchase either of these chemicals at a reasonable cost.
That is of course relative, but the quantities that my nursery has will
last a life time and then some. I only have a small number of plants that
are problems, about 15, and just want to try these things out.
Unfortunately, I suppose, I get attached to my plants, particularly when I
have had them for awhile.

Clinton


"Ray B" wrote in message
news:WRLmh.1888$SQ1.301@trnddc03...
If it's a systemic like acephate (Orthene) or imidicloprid (Merit), it
will be absorbed with no damage to the plant.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I had thought about that too. I have not dipped the whole plant as yet,
but if I do, I will figure out how to hold it upside down so that the
roots do not get immersed.

I have been also thinking about a systemic pesticide as thse critters
seem to be coming from the inside out. I do not know what the effect
would be on the roots, however.

Clinton
"Ray B" wrote in message
news:uaqmh.2476$NO5.1839@trndny01...
Mix one teaspoon each of cooking oil and liquid soap in a quart of
water, and spray the entire plant. The soap both emulsifies the oil
and breaks down the waxy coating on some insects, while the oil
smothers them.

I recommend against immersing roots in oils, as the velamen can trap
the oil too well, potentially suffocating them.

--

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


"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
...
There is an orchid nursery near where I live and I have been
developing a relationship with them. You know, buy something and talk
and talk and talk. What they suggested, and I showed them the plant,
was to take the whole plant and immerse it in the oil spray I am
using. I have not done that because of the quantity I would have to
mix up, but I may still. In your case, wehre the insects are hard to
get at, perhaps this is a solution, particularly if you do not want
to loose the plant.

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
What I worry about is that some sort of small sucking insect is
sucking into the leaf and allowing the sap to drain out. I usually
notice small sappy droplets or dried sugar sap along the midrib or
the edge of the leaf. Sure enough if I turn the leaf over there'll
be a scale on the underside, or in a few days there'll be a scale at
the leaf margin. Sometimes my first indication of trouble is (like
you did) by seeing sappy 'spray' on the windowsill when I clean up
the kitchen. (No comments about my house cleaning, now! *G*) Then
I'll have to treat the plant with something or other until its gone.

Usually I'm one of those 'better living thru chemistry' kind of
people. I usually like to use some sort of a perticide in order to
be sure. I usually don't like just dabbing away with alcohol,
because I believe these are sly, conniving little critters that,
just when you thik they're gone, they come back, usually with a
vengeance and in places that are a real pain in the neck to get rid
of them - like amongst the roots or under the p/bulb sheathes. Talk
about a pain!

But you are right. The sap comes practically from out of nowhere.
Then blammo! A few days later you see the adult and have to treat.
Slow going indeed. My paphs have mealy bug down in the bark, down
amongst the dried old leaves and along the roots and everytime I
think I have a handle on them they come back. Frustrating. I'm
about to toss the lot of them.

K Barrett
"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
This sticky stuff, if left along will eventually cover most of the
leaf. I first noted it because it had dripped onto tile floor. I
was walking around one day in bare feet. I hae not used malathion,
but have used the Ortho oil spray to smother them. The seem to come
back. I will try the alcohol. What has puzzled me is that the sap
seems to come from nowhere...from just a tiny pore in the leave. In
any event, it is very slow going.

Clinton


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
I think there are 2 kinds of scale. The harder outer shell ones,
usually dark brown, and the softer whiter colored ones. (I think
these are called boisduvial scale). I believe the pattern of
noticing the sap with progression to later seeing the adults at the
leaf edges or in the leaf axils is pretty typical for these
insects. Treat with any pesticide that kills scale. I used to use
Malathion, but I believe that is slowly being pulled from the
market (at least here in California) I've used plain old 70%
isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush, to kill the adults then wiped
any suspect areas for the next few weeks to be sure the eggs,
larvae are gone, as long as it was only one plant and isolated away
from my main collection (like a phal on the kitchen window insrtead
of in the GH.) There are a few good newer pesticides on the market
(made by Bayer here in teh US) that should kill them off, too. I
confess when I look for those I have to stand in the aisle at the
nursery, seemingly for hours, reading the small print until I find
the one I want. Am I the only one or does Bayer's product names
all sound the same to everyone else, too?

K Barrett

"W. Clinton Terry" wrote in message
.. .
I have a couple of palenopsis that are secreting a sticky
substance from the middle of their leaves. It something like tree
sap. If left alone, eventually some scale like insects appear on
the edge of the leaves. There may be no relationship between these
insects and the secretion. Unlike other scale with which I am
familiar, these appear wet. When you crush them there is a lot of
moisture involved. Other scales I have seen and treated are dry
and harder. Can anyone give me an idea what is happening. I have
sprayed with an Ortho Oil spray to no avail.

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Clinton Terry