I often see spikes forming and then drying up.
The Vandas are watered every morning, unless
it rained at night. I still get several blooms. In fact
several are in bloom right now.
Are we over watering or is
this just a natural occurance?

I would suspect that relates to insufficient humidity or insects of some
sort. With rare exception, every spike that form on mine bloom fully.

--

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

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"bk" wrote in message
ink.net...
I often see spikes forming and then drying up.
The Vandas are watered every morning, unless
it rained at night. I still get several blooms. In fact
several are in bloom right now.
Are we over watering or is
this just a natural occurance?

Seeing that I'm in Miami Beach, I'd have to go with insects.

"Ray" wrote in message
...
I would suspect that relates to insufficient humidity or insects of some
sort. With rare exception, every spike that form on mine bloom fully.

--

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

. . . . . . . . . . .
"bk" wrote in message
ink.net...
I often see spikes forming and then drying up.
The Vandas are watered every morning, unless
it rained at night. I still get several blooms. In fact
several are in bloom right now.
Are we over watering or is
this just a natural occurance?

I would treat the collection systemically for thrips. What you're
describing sounds awfully familiar. Orthene does a great job; re-treat
after a week or so.

Good Luck!

Diana

"bk" wrote in message
ink.net...
I often see spikes forming and then drying up.
The Vandas are watered every morning, unless
it rained at night. I still get several blooms. In fact
several are in bloom right now.
Are we over watering or is
this just a natural occurance?

I used that about a year ago.
1 Tbs/gallon?
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
link.net...
I would treat the collection systemically for thrips. What you're
describing sounds awfully familiar. Orthene does a great job; re-treat
after a week or so.

Good Luck!

Diana

"bk" wrote in message
ink.net...
I often see spikes forming and then drying up.
The Vandas are watered every morning, unless
it rained at night. I still get several blooms. In fact
several are in bloom right now.
Are we over watering or is
this just a natural occurance?

Too much, IMHO. I'm in Port St. Lucie, and some successful local
semi-commercial growers use 2 teaspoons. I tried the label amount once and
it caused some defoliation here and there, and damage to buds. Used right,
Orthene appears not to harm flowers. Also, watch out for gardenia season if
you have any near your orchids. Orthene the gardenias; they're thrip
magnets.

I know it's a pain, but I'd get on it. Those things can run through a Vanda
spike like Grant took Richmond! (Yes, I know from bitter experience.......)
And no sense taking chances until you see damage to other orchid flowers.
Hit 'em all.

Diana

A post on another forum said that Orthene is another item that is being
discontinued. So many of the better products have been removed from the
shelves. But, then again, I switched to Neem Oil in the greenhouse when
my volunteer tomato plant produced about three dozen large tomatoes as
Orthene can't be used on vegetables.

.. . . Pam
Everything Orchid Management System
http://www.pe.net/~profpam/page3.html

------------------------------------------------------


Diana Kulaga wrote:

Too much, IMHO. I'm in Port St. Lucie, and some successful local
semi-commercial growers use 2 teaspoons. I tried the label amount once and
it caused some defoliation here and there, and damage to buds. Used right,
Orthene appears not to harm flowers. Also, watch out for gardenia season if
you have any near your orchids. Orthene the gardenias; they're thrip
magnets.

I know it's a pain, but I'd get on it. Those things can run through a Vanda
spike like Grant took Richmond! (Yes, I know from bitter experience.......)
And no sense taking chances until you see damage to other orchid flowers.
Hit 'em all.

Diana

Pam,

In that case, I'm going to load up on it, enough to last me forever. Neem is
tough down here in south FL, where so many of us grow outdoors. The sun can
cook a plant very quickly. I try to avoid oil based remedies, unless it's a
natural preparation with a minimal amount of oil.

Thanks for letting us know that one more good remedy is about to bite the
dust.

Diana
"profpam" wrote in message ...
A post on another forum said that Orthene is another item that is being
discontinued. So many of the better products have been removed from the
shelves. But, then again, I switched to Neem Oil in the greenhouse when
my volunteer tomato plant produced about three dozen large tomatoes as
Orthene can't be used on vegetables.

. . . Pam
Everything Orchid Management System
http://www.pe.net/~profpam/page3.html

------------------------------------------------------


Diana Kulaga wrote:

Too much, IMHO. I'm in Port St. Lucie, and some successful local
semi-commercial growers use 2 teaspoons. I tried the label amount once
and
it caused some defoliation here and there, and damage to buds. Used
right,
Orthene appears not to harm flowers. Also, watch out for gardenia
season if
you have any near your orchids. Orthene the gardenias; they're thrip
magnets.

I know it's a pain, but I'd get on it. Those things can run through a
Vanda
spike like Grant took Richmond! (Yes, I know from bitter
experience.......)
And no sense taking chances until you see damage to other orchid
flowers.
Hit 'em all.

Diana

On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:58:32 GMT, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote:
Thanks for letting us know that one more good remedy is about to bite the
dust.

Diana
"profpam" wrote in message ...
A post on another forum said that Orthene is another item that is being
discontinued.


IS that Nationally or Just California?
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php