Orthene seems to be recommended for treating plants(kept outdoors over
the summer) before bringing them inside. Are there any specific
procedures that should be followed (other than amount, 1 tsp/gal)?

eg: 1. Should plants be washed with water before treatment?
2. Do I add soap to the orthene mix?
3. Does treatment need to be repeated after a week or so?
4. Are there any orchids on which orthene should NOT be used? Paphs,
phrags, bulbos, lycastes, gtongoras? OK to treat plants in bud or
bloom?
5. I just repotted some phals about 2 weeks ago. Can these be treated?
6. Is Orthenex in the convenient spray-can OK to use?
7. Will the orthene kill any insects etc that may be buried in the
potting mix?

Thanks for any advice on any of these concerns.

ben wrote:
Orthene seems to be recommended for treating plants(kept outdoors over
the summer) before bringing them inside. Are there any specific
procedures that should be followed (other than amount, 1 tsp/gal)?

eg: 1. Should plants be washed with water before treatment?
I think it is easier on the plants to water them first. It always
seemed to me that if the leaves and mix were dry, that the toxin would
be more concentrated.

2. Do I add soap to the orthene mix?
The orthene should have an emulsion included in the formula. Just
follow the instructions for the product. I guess I should ask if it is
water based or oil based formula. I prefer the water base and do not
use any of the aersol products.

3. Does treatment need to be repeated after a week or so?
Probably to kill any eggs that may have hatched in the meantime. I
usually spray my orchids twice about a week apart. Then bring them
immediately after the second treatment.


4. Are there any orchids on which orthene should NOT be used? Paphs,
phrags, bulbos, lycastes, gtongoras?

I've used the ortho for roses on all plants you listed, except the
lycastes and gongoras. If you have any doubts, test spray a plant or
two before spraying your whole collection.

OK to treat plants in bud or bloom?

If the buds are still tight, should be no problem. I don't spray the
open blooms.
5. I just repotted some phals about 2 weeks ago. Can these be treated?

Yes, tilt the plant and pot so that the spray does not accumulate in
the crown.

6. Is Orthenex in the convenient spray-can OK to use?

As stated before I do not use the spray can because I do not trust the
propellants. It is also more cost effective for me to use the
concentrate because of the quantity of plants that I have.

7. Will the orthene kill any insects etc that may be buried in the
potting mix?

It should, but you have to spray the mix thoroughly or drench the mix.
An easy way to drench is put the pot down into a bucket or fairly deep
bowl (don't reuse it for food or pets), spray the plant and mix and let
it collect in the container. Then you can lift it out and let it
drain.

Thanks for any advice on any of these concerns.

Hope this helps, I'm sure some of the others will have good suggestions
also.

Best wishes,

Nancy

An innovative idea I have read is placing orchids in a large fish tank
or plastic storage container. Dry ice is put into large cups half
filled with water. The CO2 is heavy and will stay in the container,
smothering all insects. Don't know about the eggs but most eggs breath.
You can get them to cold so go slowly. Slugs and snails are killed.
Neat idea, I plan to use it.

Joe T
Baytown


ben wrote:
Orthene seems to be recommended for treating plants(kept outdoors over
the summer) before bringing them inside. Are there any specific
procedures that should be followed (other than amount, 1 tsp/gal)?

eg: 1. Should plants be washed with water before treatment?
2. Do I add soap to the orthene mix?
3. Does treatment need to be repeated after a week or so?
4. Are there any orchids on which orthene should NOT be used? Paphs,
phrags, bulbos, lycastes, gtongoras? OK to treat plants in bud or
bloom?
5. I just repotted some phals about 2 weeks ago. Can these be treated?
6. Is Orthenex in the convenient spray-can OK to use?
7. Will the orthene kill any insects etc that may be buried in the
potting mix?

Thanks for any advice on any of these concerns.

As Nancy pointed out, a drench is a good idea in addition to the spraying of
EVERY surface of the plant, and that's something a spray can cannot
accomplish.

--

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


"Nancy G." wrote in message
ups.com...

ben wrote:
Orthene seems to be recommended for treating plants(kept outdoors over
the summer) before bringing them inside. Are there any specific
procedures that should be followed (other than amount, 1 tsp/gal)?

eg: 1. Should plants be washed with water before treatment?
I think it is easier on the plants to water them first. It always
seemed to me that if the leaves and mix were dry, that the toxin would
be more concentrated.

2. Do I add soap to the orthene mix?
The orthene should have an emulsion included in the formula. Just
follow the instructions for the product. I guess I should ask if it is
water based or oil based formula. I prefer the water base and do not
use any of the aersol products.

3. Does treatment need to be repeated after a week or so?
Probably to kill any eggs that may have hatched in the meantime. I
usually spray my orchids twice about a week apart. Then bring them
immediately after the second treatment.


4. Are there any orchids on which orthene should NOT be used? Paphs,
phrags, bulbos, lycastes, gtongoras?

I've used the ortho for roses on all plants you listed, except the
lycastes and gongoras. If you have any doubts, test spray a plant or
two before spraying your whole collection.

OK to treat plants in bud or bloom?

If the buds are still tight, should be no problem. I don't spray the
open blooms.
5. I just repotted some phals about 2 weeks ago. Can these be treated?

Yes, tilt the plant and pot so that the spray does not accumulate in
the crown.

6. Is Orthenex in the convenient spray-can OK to use?

As stated before I do not use the spray can because I do not trust the
propellants. It is also more cost effective for me to use the
concentrate because of the quantity of plants that I have.

7. Will the orthene kill any insects etc that may be buried in the
potting mix?

It should, but you have to spray the mix thoroughly or drench the mix.
An easy way to drench is put the pot down into a bucket or fairly deep
bowl (don't reuse it for food or pets), spray the plant and mix and let
it collect in the container. Then you can lift it out and let it
drain.

Thanks for any advice on any of these concerns.

Hope this helps, I'm sure some of the others will have good suggestions
also.

Best wishes,

Nancy