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#1
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Ant infested orchids
Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many
got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana |
#2
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Ant infested orchids
Hello!
Ray has some home made recipe on his site! Click on: http://www.firstrays.com/remedies.htm There are a few ant repellant! Claude "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... | Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many | got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that | are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on | new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing | to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract | scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start | thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I | have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. | Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these | pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to | spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before | I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. | | | Mariana | | | |
#3
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Ant infested orchids
Hello!
Ray has some home made recipe on his site! Click on: http://www.firstrays.com/remedies.htm There are a few ant repellant! Claude "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... | Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many | got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that | are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on | new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing | to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract | scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start | thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I | have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. | Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these | pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to | spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before | I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. | | | Mariana | | | |
#4
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Ant infested orchids
Thanks Claude. Ray has good suggestions, but they don't really apply in my
case. My orchids are not grown in a greenhouse but outdoors right now. So I don't believe that the boric/wax mix will work, unless I can place pieces of it directly on the media? what about the orchids that are mounted? Also, I don't have access to cow dung or grits . Thank you for researching, Mariana "Claude" wrote in message ... Hello! Ray has some home made recipe on his site! Click on: http://www.firstrays.com/remedies.htm There are a few ant repellant! Claude "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... | Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many | got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that | are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on | new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing | to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract | scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start | thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I | have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. | Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these | pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to | spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before | I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. | | | Mariana | | | |
#5
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Ant infested orchids
On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 00:49:52 GMT, GrlIntrpted wrote:
Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana Mariana, There is some ant killer put out by Ortho. It is a powder in a tubular container. "Ant Stop" Ant Guard or something like that. Just be careful of kids & pets. Will try to get the right name for you. It works!!! Cheers Wendy |
#6
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Ant infested orchids
Amdro works well but is pretty toxic. Orange Guard says it kills ants and
is pet friendly. Personally I like the Orange Guard for this reason plus it works well for me. We use the Amdro on fire ants though. Shell "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana |
#7
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Ant infested orchids
Thanks so very much Wendy. Do I just sprinkle it on the orchid media? Is it
safe for the orchids? Mariana "Wendy" wrote in message ... On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 00:49:52 GMT, GrlIntrpted wrote: Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana Mariana, There is some ant killer put out by Ortho. It is a powder in a tubular container. "Ant Stop" Ant Guard or something like that. Just be careful of kids & pets. Will try to get the right name for you. It works!!! Cheers Wendy |
#8
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Ant infested orchids
Thank you Shell, Is that an item available at HomeDepot or any other
hardware store? -M "Weeble" wrote in message news Amdro works well but is pretty toxic. Orange Guard says it kills ants and is pet friendly. Personally I like the Orange Guard for this reason plus it works well for me. We use the Amdro on fire ants though. Shell "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana |
#9
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Ant infested orchids
Thanks so very much Wendy. Do I just sprinkle it on the orchid media? Is it
safe for the orchids? Mariana "Wendy" wrote in message ... On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 00:49:52 GMT, GrlIntrpted wrote: Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana Mariana, There is some ant killer put out by Ortho. It is a powder in a tubular container. "Ant Stop" Ant Guard or something like that. Just be careful of kids & pets. Will try to get the right name for you. It works!!! Cheers Wendy |
#10
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Ant infested orchids
Thank you Shell, Is that an item available at HomeDepot or any other
hardware store? -M "Weeble" wrote in message news Amdro works well but is pretty toxic. Orange Guard says it kills ants and is pet friendly. Personally I like the Orange Guard for this reason plus it works well for me. We use the Amdro on fire ants though. Shell "GrlIntrpted" wrote in message . net... Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana |
#11
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Ant infested orchids
Yes Mariana it is okay for the plants and I gave them a good flush the day
after treating them. I remember one plant was teaming with the little black ants so I took it out the g/h & sprinkled the plant. Went back in the afternoon to check, there was a black ring of ants on the concrete also a ring of white eggs!!!! All dead. Still have not be out to the potting shed, to look for the name, just had a cast put on my foot so I am not too nimble at the moment. It is Ortho & in a round cylinder type container. Let us know what happens. Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply GrlIntrpted wrote: Thanks so very much Wendy. Do I just sprinkle it on the orchid media? Is it safe for the orchids? Mariana "Wendy" wrote in message ... On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 00:49:52 GMT, GrlIntrpted wrote: Many of my orchids are enjoying the outdoors this summer. As a result, many got infested by ants, many of the Catts and the Catts hybrids, those that are in pots as well as those that are mounted. I see ants congragating on new growths (probably enjoying the sap). Now I think that there is nothing to worry about (for now), but I heard somewhere that ants generally attract scales and other unwanted kaka. Also, in about 2 months I'm going to start thinking of bringing them in, and obviously I'm concerned about the ants. I have over 200 pots and mounts that will probably need to be treated somehow. Can anyone recommend what I need to do in order to rid the plants of these pesky creatures w/o damaging the plants? Any chemicals that are easy to spray or treat the orchids with? Do I need to repot every one of them before I take them indoors? Assistance much appreciated. Mariana Mariana, There is some ant killer put out by Ortho. It is a powder in a tubular container. "Ant Stop" Ant Guard or something like that. Just be careful of kids & pets. Will try to get the right name for you. It works!!! Cheers Wendy |
#12
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Ant infested orchids
Thank you Shell, Is that an item available at HomeDepot or any other
hardware store? Hi, Mariana, Amdro can be found at HD or Lowe's. WalMart has Terro, which attracts the ants (heh, heh) and finishes 'em off. Still, my advice would be to treat now for aesthetic reasons, and a few days before taking the plants in for the season, hit them with Orthene or something similar. Orthene is systemic, so you can water it through the medium. The reason I say a few days before bringing them in is that Orthene is not particularly pleasant smelling. I know someone is going to disagree with me on dosage, but I stand by it: I use 2 tsp. per gallon of water; I have found that anything more can burn the leaves. About ants attracting scale, etc., there's a relationship there. Ants will be attracted to plants that have beasties such as mealies and can spread them, though at this time of the year it's just as likely that the ants are simply *there*. If you see the ants congregating in a particular area, do check for bugs. The following is lifted from the July edition of Motes online newsletter (I've selected a few passages, so it's not in context): "Ants like the orchid medium because it is by nature dry. They hate water and will build their nests higher and higher in wet ground. An orchid pot is therefor a penthouse apartment for them. Immersing the entire pot ant plant in a large vessel of water will persuaded them to find another place to set up house keeping. Be sure to cover the entire pot and if possible the entire plant. If the plant can not be totally submerged allow some of the foliage to touch the edge of the vessel so that the ants can beat a retreat and are not forced to wait out the flood perched on the upper reaches of the plant. If you have some vengeance in mind, 2 oz. of dish washing soap per gal added to the water should hasten and further their departure. Even more wrathful is 2 tsp per gal of Orthene SP or 1tbs. per gal of DiazinonWP. Be sure to wear gloves with either of the latter." "While usually content with the sweet manna that the orchids yield up from their largess, sometimes ants take things into their own mandibles. And what they take can be scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs. Ants have also set up symbiotic relationships with these creatures all of which are very efficient at extracting sugars from plants. Growers should observe closely where the ants are going and be sure that at the ends of their routes one does not find a fluffy white mass of immature scale or mealy bugs. Alternatively one may discover hardened mature scale or aphids. Leaf axils, under bracts of new growths or flower spikes are favorite places that ants like to deposit their little sucking friends. The ants have already scouted out the richest veins to mine and they know that sucking insects cannot use all of the sugars that they so efficiently extract." There's a lot more, but I don't want to make this post too big. Diana |
#13
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Ant infested orchids
Thank you Shell, Is that an item available at HomeDepot or any other
hardware store? Hi, Mariana, Amdro can be found at HD or Lowe's. WalMart has Terro, which attracts the ants (heh, heh) and finishes 'em off. Still, my advice would be to treat now for aesthetic reasons, and a few days before taking the plants in for the season, hit them with Orthene or something similar. Orthene is systemic, so you can water it through the medium. The reason I say a few days before bringing them in is that Orthene is not particularly pleasant smelling. I know someone is going to disagree with me on dosage, but I stand by it: I use 2 tsp. per gallon of water; I have found that anything more can burn the leaves. About ants attracting scale, etc., there's a relationship there. Ants will be attracted to plants that have beasties such as mealies and can spread them, though at this time of the year it's just as likely that the ants are simply *there*. If you see the ants congregating in a particular area, do check for bugs. The following is lifted from the July edition of Motes online newsletter (I've selected a few passages, so it's not in context): "Ants like the orchid medium because it is by nature dry. They hate water and will build their nests higher and higher in wet ground. An orchid pot is therefor a penthouse apartment for them. Immersing the entire pot ant plant in a large vessel of water will persuaded them to find another place to set up house keeping. Be sure to cover the entire pot and if possible the entire plant. If the plant can not be totally submerged allow some of the foliage to touch the edge of the vessel so that the ants can beat a retreat and are not forced to wait out the flood perched on the upper reaches of the plant. If you have some vengeance in mind, 2 oz. of dish washing soap per gal added to the water should hasten and further their departure. Even more wrathful is 2 tsp per gal of Orthene SP or 1tbs. per gal of DiazinonWP. Be sure to wear gloves with either of the latter." "While usually content with the sweet manna that the orchids yield up from their largess, sometimes ants take things into their own mandibles. And what they take can be scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs. Ants have also set up symbiotic relationships with these creatures all of which are very efficient at extracting sugars from plants. Growers should observe closely where the ants are going and be sure that at the ends of their routes one does not find a fluffy white mass of immature scale or mealy bugs. Alternatively one may discover hardened mature scale or aphids. Leaf axils, under bracts of new growths or flower spikes are favorite places that ants like to deposit their little sucking friends. The ants have already scouted out the richest veins to mine and they know that sucking insects cannot use all of the sugars that they so efficiently extract." There's a lot more, but I don't want to make this post too big. Diana |
#14
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Ant infested orchids
Oh this is great, Diana thank you!
Mariana "Diana Kulaga" wrote in message nk.net... Thank you Shell, Is that an item available at HomeDepot or any other hardware store? Hi, Mariana, Amdro can be found at HD or Lowe's. WalMart has Terro, which attracts the ants (heh, heh) and finishes 'em off. Still, my advice would be to treat now for aesthetic reasons, and a few days before taking the plants in for the season, hit them with Orthene or something similar. Orthene is systemic, so you can water it through the medium. The reason I say a few days before bringing them in is that Orthene is not particularly pleasant smelling. I know someone is going to disagree with me on dosage, but I stand by it: I use 2 tsp. per gallon of water; I have found that anything more can burn the leaves. About ants attracting scale, etc., there's a relationship there. Ants will be attracted to plants that have beasties such as mealies and can spread them, though at this time of the year it's just as likely that the ants are simply *there*. If you see the ants congregating in a particular area, do check for bugs. The following is lifted from the July edition of Motes online newsletter (I've selected a few passages, so it's not in context): "Ants like the orchid medium because it is by nature dry. They hate water and will build their nests higher and higher in wet ground. An orchid pot is therefor a penthouse apartment for them. Immersing the entire pot ant plant in a large vessel of water will persuaded them to find another place to set up house keeping. Be sure to cover the entire pot and if possible the entire plant. If the plant can not be totally submerged allow some of the foliage to touch the edge of the vessel so that the ants can beat a retreat and are not forced to wait out the flood perched on the upper reaches of the plant. If you have some vengeance in mind, 2 oz. of dish washing soap per gal added to the water should hasten and further their departure. Even more wrathful is 2 tsp per gal of Orthene SP or 1tbs. per gal of DiazinonWP. Be sure to wear gloves with either of the latter." "While usually content with the sweet manna that the orchids yield up from their largess, sometimes ants take things into their own mandibles. And what they take can be scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs. Ants have also set up symbiotic relationships with these creatures all of which are very efficient at extracting sugars from plants. Growers should observe closely where the ants are going and be sure that at the ends of their routes one does not find a fluffy white mass of immature scale or mealy bugs. Alternatively one may discover hardened mature scale or aphids. Leaf axils, under bracts of new growths or flower spikes are favorite places that ants like to deposit their little sucking friends. The ants have already scouted out the richest veins to mine and they know that sucking insects cannot use all of the sugars that they so efficiently extract." There's a lot more, but I don't want to make this post too big. Diana |
#15
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Ant infested orchids
Oh this is great, Diana thank you!
Mariana "Diana Kulaga" wrote in message nk.net... Thank you Shell, Is that an item available at HomeDepot or any other hardware store? Hi, Mariana, Amdro can be found at HD or Lowe's. WalMart has Terro, which attracts the ants (heh, heh) and finishes 'em off. Still, my advice would be to treat now for aesthetic reasons, and a few days before taking the plants in for the season, hit them with Orthene or something similar. Orthene is systemic, so you can water it through the medium. The reason I say a few days before bringing them in is that Orthene is not particularly pleasant smelling. I know someone is going to disagree with me on dosage, but I stand by it: I use 2 tsp. per gallon of water; I have found that anything more can burn the leaves. About ants attracting scale, etc., there's a relationship there. Ants will be attracted to plants that have beasties such as mealies and can spread them, though at this time of the year it's just as likely that the ants are simply *there*. If you see the ants congregating in a particular area, do check for bugs. The following is lifted from the July edition of Motes online newsletter (I've selected a few passages, so it's not in context): "Ants like the orchid medium because it is by nature dry. They hate water and will build their nests higher and higher in wet ground. An orchid pot is therefor a penthouse apartment for them. Immersing the entire pot ant plant in a large vessel of water will persuaded them to find another place to set up house keeping. Be sure to cover the entire pot and if possible the entire plant. If the plant can not be totally submerged allow some of the foliage to touch the edge of the vessel so that the ants can beat a retreat and are not forced to wait out the flood perched on the upper reaches of the plant. If you have some vengeance in mind, 2 oz. of dish washing soap per gal added to the water should hasten and further their departure. Even more wrathful is 2 tsp per gal of Orthene SP or 1tbs. per gal of DiazinonWP. Be sure to wear gloves with either of the latter." "While usually content with the sweet manna that the orchids yield up from their largess, sometimes ants take things into their own mandibles. And what they take can be scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs. Ants have also set up symbiotic relationships with these creatures all of which are very efficient at extracting sugars from plants. Growers should observe closely where the ants are going and be sure that at the ends of their routes one does not find a fluffy white mass of immature scale or mealy bugs. Alternatively one may discover hardened mature scale or aphids. Leaf axils, under bracts of new growths or flower spikes are favorite places that ants like to deposit their little sucking friends. The ants have already scouted out the richest veins to mine and they know that sucking insects cannot use all of the sugars that they so efficiently extract." There's a lot more, but I don't want to make this post too big. Diana |
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