misting & denatured alcohol - Orchid Board

ladyslipper · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 04:42 PM

Hi guys, I know I read this before but can't remember what the suggestion was....does misting (using a small mister that you would use in the laundry) do any good at all? I was on Mid Pacific Orchid's (they are in Hawaii) website and they recommended it.

The other thing is does anyone use denatured alcholol to treat fungus or anything like this? I am guessing I could get this at an organic market.

thanks m

smartie2000 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 04:47 PM

alcohol can be used to treat mealy bugs or aphids, but they tend to bounce back again with this treatment...

littlefrog · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 05:35 PM

I use isopropyl alcohol liberally, and it works well. I do not know about denatured alcohol (which, if two decades old organic chemistry is recalled correctly is ethanol + a bit of benzene to make it toxic). I think isopropanol is the way to go, however.

justatypn · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 05:55 PM

I have been using isopropyl alcohol since the fall and seems to be working very well. As a matter of fact, used it on my Oncidium totosauri (ready to bloom) when the mealys were being pesty and the plant was apparently sick; use it every 2 weeks or so works wonders. I use a small bottle of alcohol and water and mist the infested area as well as a cotton swab the day after.

smartie2000 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 06:34 PM

yup its ethanol with stuff in it so that us students don't drink it

jim blanford · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 06:42 PM

I use isopropyl alcohol w/water and a little mild dish detergent in a spray bottle for all kinds insects. Jim.

Phantasm · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 07:50 PM

I also use isopropyl alcohol has a spot pest spray, and it works great for evening search and destroy missions for slugs. It's easy to work with and not as toxic as chemicals I use for bigger troubles.

ladyslipper · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 08:11 PM

Hello, what is the proportion of water to alchol that is used to spray?

thanks

jim blanford · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 08:37 PM

I use 8oz alcohol 16oz water 1or2oz 409 or Dawn. The detergent helps the alcohol stick to the plant. Jim.

Jonatan · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2007, 09:29 PM

I also use isopropyl alcohol plus I ad a little dishwasher soap so that it sticks to the bugs better. It seems to be working great for me. I use a two or three drops of soap and like a tea spoon of alcohol to about a half liter of water.