October 2005

Orchid U >> Past Issues Orchid RX
Volume I, Issue2
October 5, 2005
www.orchidsupplies.net

Easier to Prevent Pests Than Treat Them How many times have you taken your orchid to the sink for watering and you noticed an unwelcome pest making a comfortable home in your plant? If this hasn't happened yet, trust me, it will. You are bound to have a few unwanted pests living in your collection. Most of you may be wondering how to get rid of scale mealy bugs,white flies, or aphids. Prevention is the best remedy for pest control. For starters, always purchase healthy plants. Before purchase, inspect plants thoroughly and hand re- move any creepy crawlys that may be present. It is helpful to repot new introductions before bringing them into your collection. The repotting procedure allows you to carefully inspect all areas of the plant, including the roots. By removing old medium, you are eliminating eggs that may be present. Regular inspections should be done on a weekly basis,or as often as possible.Remember, it is only natural for pests to reproduce and continue their life cycle. Our job, as orchid enthusiasts, is to eliminate the pest before it is a problem. During your inspections, don't forget plants that may be out of reach. One side may appear healthy, while the other side may be harboring a new colony of pests. Remove spent flowers once they turn brown to eliminate a potential home for pests. Plant spacing is imperative to pest prevention and overall orchid health. If any of you have my problem, you are starting to run out of space on the East side of the house. It is only natural for us to say I can get one more in here; and one more turns to two more, three more, and so on. Plants that are overcrowded are an infestation waiting to happen. Crowded plants are difficult to inspect. Usually, by the time you see a problem, it has already spread to multiple plants, or your entire collection. Pests spread rapidly if plants are crowded, making them difficult to eliminate. Most pests can be eliminated naturally or organically. If only a few pests are present, they can be removed. If a stronger measure needs to be applied, use neem oil. It is a great 100% natural, all purpose product for most pests. I hope I have inspired you to carefully inspect your orchids. Our goal as orchid enthusiasts is to grow the healthiest orchids we can. Remember, it is easier and more effective to prevent pests than to treat them.

Tip of the Month You've worked hard all summer taking care of your orchids. Now is the time to start feeding them with a bloom booster fertilizer (higher phosphorous content) to initiate flower buds. We prefer either Dyna-Gro Bloom or Grow More Bloom formulas.

Question of the Month Question: My leaves on my Miltonia are wrinkled, why? Answer: Wrinkled or pleated leaves on an orchid are a sure sign of insufficient water. This is most commonly seen on Miltonias, Zygopetalums, and Oncidiums. Once the leaves are pleated, the pleat or wrinkle will remain on the leaf. If new growth is still pleated, then you need to
increase your watering. Once the new growth is smooth again, you have found a comfortable watering schedule that meets the needs of your orchid.

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