Insect and Orchids
Why Me?
OH NO!! Insects on my plants!
It happens to all of us.
They sneak up when you're not looking and build huge populations before you even notice that they're there.
And they feed ferocious appetites by feasting on your favorite plants!
In nature, insects and plants live together. Wind, rain, and natural predators keep insect populations in check however.
But when these natural barriers aren't present (like in your house), those little critters can multiply quickly and cause problems.
One adult female can lay several MILLION eggs! With the right conditions these eggs will hatch in 5 days or less. That's why a perfectly healthy plant that looked great yesterday - can be covered with creepy crawlers today.
On top of that, insect eggs can lay dormant for up to a year. And then - when the conditions are right - they hatch. Same thing happens - a plant that looked great yesterday can be covered with creepy crawlers today.
Insects and plants live together. Sooner or later you're going to have to deal with them.
Don't panic!
We'll show you how to make the job easy.
1. Know What to Look for
Although nature has blessed us with hundreds (maybe thousands?) of types of insects, there are only four that are commonly found on orchids.
2. How To Get Rid of Them
With all the "remedies" for killing insects on the market, choosing the right one can make your head spin!
I use and recommend "Neem Oil". Neem Oil is a safe and effective control for over 200 types of insects and I like the fact that it's completely safe to use around both humans and pets.
Neem Oil is pressed from the seeds of the Neem tree and has been used as medicine for over 4000 years. "Azidirachtin", the natural compound in Neem, disrupts the insect's feeding habits and reproductive cycles. As the insect starves, it can't reproduce.
Grower Tip: Not all Neem Oil is the same. To get the best resuts always buy natural, pure, 100% Cold Pressed Neem Oil. Many "ready-to-use" products are diluted and the Neem Oil is mixed with other chemicals that are used as filler.
3. Making Sure They Don't Come Back
Insects are industrious little creatures that go to great lengths to survive. Just when you think you've solved the problem they mysteriously return.
That's because insects lay eggs in hard to find places and they're easy to miss. Even though you kill the adults, the problem returns when the eggs hatch.
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If you suspect insects, it's imperative to spray the plant 3 TIMES at weekly intervals - whether you see them or not. Spraying kills the adults but doesn't get the eggs. |
Active adults lay eggs on decorative pots, the bench holding the plants, and even on the floor under the plant. These eggs can lay dormant for a year (or more). When conditions are right, the eggs hatch and your problem starts all over again.
 Mealy bugs on the bottom of a decoratib=ve container |
 Mealy bugs on a plant stand |
When battling active insects, spray all the surfaces around the plant. This is includes the grow pot, decorative pot, growing media, and bench where plant was sitting.
Controlling insects on your plants doesn't need to be difficult. Know what to look for and use the right tools - and you'll win the battle!
