If ants are present they could be the root of the problem. Ants are farmers and will place sucking bugs on orchids to eat the secretions. They also may leave sooty mold too. If you have ants you must treat your entire yard. I must have my yard sprayed frequently. I'm dealing with invasives, 3 different kinds that got here through the Port of Miami. These 3 eat differently than the domestic ants. Because of that we can only control them and can't kill them all like the local ones.Locals feed the worker, the queen gets some, she dies, colony gone. Not the invasives.

Thanks for posting. A speaker we had last year suggested we use the Bayers Granules. I'm still having a plant or two with problems. Next spring I'll probably do the drench/soak as you suggest then follow it up with the granules in the pots.

Good information, Sheila! I'm fighting thrips and fungus. I started using systemics and was thinking that the water is running through so fast I was hoping the roots were taking it up. You gave me a good idea. I'm going to give that a try!

Thank you, very good tip!

Jane

Jane, I also had signs of fungus which I attributed to all my earlier treatnments. The Bayer got rid of that problem also.

Interesting. I've used Bayer Systemic for many years. I found the spray was effective on scale (when I lived in NY). Since moving to Florida, I haven't run into scale but am dealing with Thrips and major fungal issues.

I have the Bayer spray but it didn't seem to work. I would notice Thrips on the plants a day after spraying.

But, what you are saying is that you take the liquid from the spray bottle and pour it through the media.

I guess you can't reuse it. I think that would become quite expensive when one has a lot of orchids like I do.

I recently started using a organic insecticide called Conserve. Southern Ag sells it. The active ingredient is Spinosad. I was told it is the best for thrips. I will check to see if scale is mentioned. I doubt it because it is primarily used to control Caterpillars. I mix a Tsp in a gallon sprayer and cover the plants. I'm amazed how well it is working. I'm actually getting normal blooms.

Scale is another story. Very tough to deal with but systemic is the way to go. I had a lot of success using it in NY where I ran into infestations many times.

Jane

I

Jane, what I am saying is I let the orchid sit in a pan of the liquid until the roots have time to absorb the liquid up into the whole plant. I put fresh mixture as needed but use it for more than one orchid or I could not afford it eather. So far so good.

Don't do that Shirley. Eventually you will be passing virus. Most collections of any size probably has some pathogens. By dipping it improves the odds of passing virus. If you spray the roots just to coat the roots then return after 5 minutes it will absorb more. and you can keep giving it a modest spray several times. This method works for watering also...My systemic of choice is Orthene. Don't use it in the oil form. The hot sun and oil burns. I use the powdered. Least toxic to humans. It stinks a little though...I just spray the roots once and it seems to work. It also kills bugs on contact too.

Harvey, the spray doesn't get through the bark or sphag. I understand what Shirley is describing.

But I won't reuse the chemical on multiple plants for the same reason you state. Each plant would have to soak individually.

i like Systemics for scale. Bayer does a good job I used it many times and have 2 bottles sitting here now.

Shirley, Bayer makes a systemic granular called Rose and Flower. I did both in NY. I'd use the granular outdoors over summer. The combination of both spray and granular worked well if you remember to keep on top of the schedule. That was always my downfall! Still is. Now I put reminders on my phone to spray!

jane

Are ants present?

I did see just a few ants before treatment but nolonger see any. Since I grow in an enclosed area if I can keep the bugs away maybe I can keep the ants away.

If the ants are bringing the sucking bugs then you need to think the opposite. If there are no ants then the sucking bugs are gone. To repeat, if the ants are bringing the sucking bugs.

Ants do not bring scale. Aphids yes, not scale. I grew indoors in NY for 20 years. Had scale many times, mites, etc. I certainly did not have ants inside my house.

A systemic insecticide is the best way to go for scale. Spray for the initial knockdown then apply the systemic s according to the label.

Jane

Update: Still no bugs.