Systemic pest killers
Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on
orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. |
Systemic pest killers
I don't know if I'd use a chemical that was over 20 years old... let's see
Was Reagan in office then?? Anyway, I've used Orthene and the newer breeds of insecticide like some of the Bayer products with imicloprid (not a systemic) in them. But interestingly I used insecticidal soap to get rid of mealies that were invading the Paphs in my collection. Go figure. Worked for me but didn't work for you. But then I tend to hit things hard with the biggest gun I can find. (Orthene or Malathion) so maybe its not crazy that something simple would work. since the bugs in my collection probably hadn't had exposure to that insecticide. If you can find Orthene use it. or malathion, water the day before in order to limit sequelae to the plant, cytotoxologic effects, like streaks/color break in flower buds. Won't stop them but will lessen them. K Barrett "Dayton" wrote in message ... Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. |
Systemic pest killers
On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 20:10:57 -0700, "K Barrett"
wrote: the newer breeds of insecticide like some of the Bayer products with imicloprid (not a systemic) in them. instructions are to pour it around the base of the tree, and it kills bugs in the tree. also on the bottle "provides 12 months of systemic protection" the stuff has been referred to as synthetic nicotine. |
Systemic pest killers
On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 22:17:41 -0400 in Dayton wrote:
Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. Using imodoclopid (misspelled big time, active ingredient in Bayer Tree and Shrub) killed off scale, but made things tastier for mites. Dunk and soak for the things in bark. Added to the fertilizer mix for the things in semi-hydro. Look through the archived articles for mixing ratio. -- Chris Dukes elfick willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat |
Systemic pest killers
I used the Bayer Tree and Shrub with good success.
I used it at a 1 Tablespoon per gallon and drenched the plants for three consecutive waterings one week a part. I did notice that the older growths continued to host scale for some time. I believe this is because they do not take up as much water/chemical as the newer growth. Good Growing, Gene wrote in message g... On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 22:17:41 -0400 in Dayton wrote: Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. Using imodoclopid (misspelled big time, active ingredient in Bayer Tree and Shrub) killed off scale, but made things tastier for mites. Dunk and soak for the things in bark. Added to the fertilizer mix for the things in semi-hydro. Look through the archived articles for mixing ratio. -- Chris Dukes elfick willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat |
Systemic pest killers
On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:56:23 GMT in H6zKh.70$Sf2.21@trnddc01 Gene Schurg wrote:
I used the Bayer Tree and Shrub with good success. I used it at a 1 Tablespoon per gallon and drenched the plants for three consecutive waterings one week a part. I did notice that the older growths continued to host scale for some time. I believe this is because they do not take up as much water/chemical as the newer growth. And another item to add, a gently wielded toothbrush with some soapy water and/or rubbing alcohol does well for lowering the population. Granted, gently using a fingernail was more compatible with my desire for an OCD activity... Good Growing, Gene wrote in message g... On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 22:17:41 -0400 in Dayton wrote: Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. Using imodoclopid (misspelled big time, active ingredient in Bayer Tree and Shrub) killed off scale, but made things tastier for mites. Dunk and soak for the things in bark. Added to the fertilizer mix for the things in semi-hydro. Look through the archived articles for mixing ratio. -- Chris Dukes elfick willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat -- Chris Dukes elfick willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat |
Systemic pest killers
I was told that the finger and fingernail methods, while satisfying to
oneself, is bad because it releases and spreads the eggs. I believe some Orthene has an oil as a carrier so you need to be careful in the sun. I think imidacloprid is also marketed as Marvik in a powder form also called the water soluble form. In the area of $80 to $100 for a container. Not sure how big, maybe a quart. Found at nursery suppliers, not garden stores. Bob wrote in message g... On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:56:23 GMT in H6zKh.70$Sf2.21@trnddc01 Gene Schurg wrote: I used the Bayer Tree and Shrub with good success. I used it at a 1 Tablespoon per gallon and drenched the plants for three consecutive waterings one week a part. I did notice that the older growths continued to host scale for some time. I believe this is because they do not take up as much water/chemical as the newer growth. And another item to add, a gently wielded toothbrush with some soapy water and/or rubbing alcohol does well for lowering the population. Granted, gently using a fingernail was more compatible with my desire for an OCD activity... Good Growing, Gene wrote in message g... On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 22:17:41 -0400 in Dayton wrote: Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. Using imodoclopid (misspelled big time, active ingredient in Bayer Tree and Shrub) killed off scale, but made things tastier for mites. Dunk and soak for the things in bark. Added to the fertilizer mix for the things in semi-hydro. Look through the archived articles for mixing ratio. -- Chris Dukes elfick willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat -- Chris Dukes elfick willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat |
Systemic pest killers
Dayton: Liquid Sevin is pretty effective for both scale and mealies, at
recommended label rates. Mavrik (mentioned in another post) didn't seem to do much, around here. Cygon (if it's still around) will work, but does cause a lot of malformations, in my experience. For anything else that I know of, you'll have to read labels and make your own judgments about mixing. Orthene WP 75 (the 75 being the percentage of active ingredient) was my fav for many years. It worked _very_ well, but is no longer available around here. The active ingredient was acephate. The Orthene Fire Ant powders still out there are pretty much the same thing, except that the active ingredient is reduced (and I'm told it's illegal, at least in the US, to mix stronger, so as to get back to the 75%). The Sevin and acephate, if properly applied (all over the plant, including lower leaf surfaces) DO work in bark and other "chunky" mixes, but it does take time. If you go with an acephate product or the Liquid Sevin, you need to spray once a week for 3 weeks. [I _wish_ I had a 1-time cure ...]. Otherwise, the pests will recur, and be more resistant the next time around. To the extent possible (which I know depends on the number of plants at issue), the toothbrush (also previously mentioned by another poster) along with alcohol, soap or oil (if your conditions are not too hot for the latter), is also a very good idea. At minimum, it will get rid of the dead pests so you don't have to keep checking the same areas for re-infestation. It also provides a faster "knockdown" than you can get with any systemic I know of. Seriously-infested plants will also benefit from repotting, for which the major season is approaching. Hope this helps, Kenni "Dayton" wrote in message ... Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. |
Systemic pest killers
Have you considered Enstar II? Instead of being an insecticide that kills
adults, it is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that stops all stages of the insect from maturing. No maturation = no reproduction = no population of critters. I find it to be most effective when applied initially with an true killer like acephate or imidicloprid to knock down the adult population immediately, then do the follow-up applications with Enstar alone. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info! "Dayton" wrote in message ... Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. |
Systemic pest killers
|
Systemic pest killers
Kenni Judd wrote:
Dayton: Liquid Sevin is pretty effective for both scale and mealies, at recommended label rates. Mavrik (mentioned in another post) didn't seem to do much, around here. Cygon (if it's still around) will work, but does cause a lot of malformations, in my experience. For anything else that I know of, you'll have to read labels and make your own judgments about mixing. Orthene WP 75 (the 75 being the percentage of active ingredient) was my fav for many years. It worked _very_ well, but is no longer available around here. The active ingredient was acephate. The Orthene Fire Ant powders still out there are pretty much the same thing, except that the active ingredient is reduced (and I'm told it's illegal, at least in the US, to mix stronger, so as to get back to the 75%). The Sevin and acephate, if properly applied (all over the plant, including lower leaf surfaces) DO work in bark and other "chunky" mixes, but it does take time. If you go with an acephate product or the Liquid Sevin, you need to spray once a week for 3 weeks. [I _wish_ I had a 1-time cure ...]. Otherwise, the pests will recur, and be more resistant the next time around. To the extent possible (which I know depends on the number of plants at issue), the toothbrush (also previously mentioned by another poster) along with alcohol, soap or oil (if your conditions are not too hot for the latter), is also a very good idea. At minimum, it will get rid of the dead pests so you don't have to keep checking the same areas for re-infestation. It also provides a faster "knockdown" than you can get with any systemic I know of. Seriously-infested plants will also benefit from repotting, for which the major season is approaching. Hope this helps, Kenni "Dayton" wrote in message ... Does anyone have experience, hopefully positive, using systemics on orchids? I am at my wit's end spraying Neem and insecticidal soaps for scale. Now mealies are beginning to show up as well. Getting very close to making a large trip to the compost heap (if the snow ever melts) and going back to ferns and begonias. Most of the problem children are phals potted in either soil-less mixes or moss. I suspect no systemic would work in a bark mix. I have a fairly old (20+ years) can of DiSyston granules(Disulfoton Diethyl ethyl phosphordithicate) that I've used on other soil based plants with some success. Cannot find any indication of use for orchids and there isn't much on the web. From what I've found, it may even be banned in some places. Not sure what else may be available, but I'm hoping something works. Appreciate any input anyone has. Thanks. The biggest problem in spraying is that the plants are in a closed room under flourescent and HID lights so ventilation is a real problem during the winter (Maine where the low was -15° last week). That's why I tried the Neem, it being a natural product. Will try some of the others, which I have all of for outdoor work, when I can open the windows or take the plants outside. Was hoping that there might be a magic bullet because the scale problem has been going on for a couple of years. Every time I think they're gone, I turn around and they're back. |
Systemic pest killers
"Dayton" wrote in message ... Thanks. The biggest problem in spraying is that the plants are in a closed room under flourescent and HID lights so ventilation is a real problem during the winter (Maine where the low was -15° last week). That's why I tried the Neem, it being a natural product. Will try some of the others, which I have all of for outdoor work, when I can open the windows or take the plants outside. Was hoping that there might be a magic bullet because the scale problem has been going on for a couple of years. Every time I think they're gone, I turn around and they're back. We have the same problem with meanly bugs and spider mites in a small hobby greenhouse. No amount of spray, even systemic works for long. So far the orchids have been spared, but we fear they'll get infested next. |
Systemic pest killers
The key to all of the critters is to remember they have eggs that continue
to hatch for many weeks after you spray. If you kill the adults this week and don't follow up for the next couple of weeks then you have hatchlings come back in two weeks and slowly your problem returns. Systemics help that quite a bit because it makes the plant toxic to the critter. I believe some of these eggs can last all winter only to hatch in the spring when the environment gets favorable for the hatchling. For years I got rid of the scales and mealies for a month or two only to find them back a couple of weeks later. I know you shouldn't spray when you don't see anything but if you had them in the past month then you should take into account that there are eggs waiting to hatch. Mother nature designed them this way so they would survive. Good growing, Gene |
Systemic pest killers
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 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? Bob "Minelli Family" wrote in message ... "Dayton" wrote in message ... Thanks. The biggest problem in spraying is that the plants are in a closed room under flourescent and HID lights so ventilation is a real problem during the winter (Maine where the low was -15° last week). That's why I tried the Neem, it being a natural product. Will try some of the others, which I have all of for outdoor work, when I can open the windows or take the plants outside. Was hoping that there might be a magic bullet because the scale problem has been going on for a couple of years. Every time I think they're gone, I turn around and they're back. We have the same problem with meanly bugs and spider mites in a small hobby greenhouse. No amount of spray, even systemic works for long. So far the orchids have been spared, but we fear they'll get infested next. |
Systemic pest killers
"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. |
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