Matt,

Generally speaking, preventive chemical applications are to be avoided, as they lead to the
development of resistant strains of bugs.

The best preemptive moves, in my opinion, are good observational skills and attentiveness. Do a
periodic close inspection of your collection. It will allow you to see such problems as they
develop and take quick, but minor action to get rid of the problem.

I find it good to keep a spray bottle of a general purpose, but relatively innocuous stuff handy on
those inspections - I use Rise & Shine as it kills almost anything and shines the leaves while
you're at it, but I know the manufacturer, so get a great price! Prior to coming up with that, I
had a two-weapon arsenal - a spray bottle each of pure isopropanol and liquid dishwashing detergent
in water.

The white stuff in the medium sounds like it might be a fungus growing in decomposing medium, a
fairly sure sign that it's time to repot!

--

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

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Matthew Donadio" wrote in message ...
Hi all,

I am wondering what people do for preemptive critter and crud prevention.

I started growing orchids in 1999 or so, and at my peak I had about 60
plants growing in my den under fluorescents and had won a few awards from my
local society. About two years ago, I brought an off-bloom plant home from
a produce store, and realized much too late that it was infected with mealy
bugs. I was unable to control the critters (hesitant to use potent
chemicals because I grow indoors), and after a long infestation, I declared
"uncle" and reluctantly got rid of my collection.

Sigh.

Fortunately, I got a nice bonus from my current client, and was able to
start a new collection this winrer. Currently, I have about thirty NBS/BS
plants (phals, milts, and phrags) in the same den.

This weekend, I was watering my plants and noticed some crud growing in a
pot (it was a white hairy mold, but I'm not sure exactly what it was) that
some 1t/G Physan took care of. When I was looking at another plant, I
thought I saw baby mealy bugs (*^$$&&!), but my 18x loupe just revealed the
I am just paranoid (but I am picking up my low-power stereo microscope from
my mom just to be sure).

Let me reinforce the fact that I am a bit paranoid about Critters and Crud
right infecting my orchids. What is the orchid equivalent of a tinfoil hat?
Bathe in neem-oil?

I am curious as to what people do for preemptive plant maintianence for_
indoor_ growing. I could fog my den with a combo of Orthene, Dianazin, and
Malthalion and water with 100% Physan, but that is a bit overkill. My
primary concerns are human/cat health (ie, non-death) and preventing
breeding super bugs / super mold), but I would like to do my best to prevent
future problems.

Thoughts? Thanks.

--Matt