At what point do you toss?

[Reeses]

I know this is a very subjective question--which is fine because I'm looking for subjective answers!

I have three orchids right now (a NOID phal, a NOID Onc., and an Onc Twinkle) that have various things going on that are making me concerned. At one point I would have been all about doing anything and everything to save them. But, I just started my Ph.D. program and time is....well, a valuable commodity. I unfortunately don't have time to baby them like I used to.

The phal up and dropped four leaves out of nowhere, and when I unpotted it today, it only had one viable root. So it's down to two tiny leaves and one root. I didn't see any signs of disease, so I think it's either related to my recent move, or I somehow overwatered it.

The two Oncs. I think have some kind of fungus, but I haven't been able to figure out what exactly. I'm getting yellowing leaves and black streaking on others. I've soaked them both in a physon solution, but I don't have any other fungicides at hand.

So, I guess what I'm asking is, in your experience, at what point is it not worth the effort? I love my plants, but I also value my sanity.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Reeses

But, I just started my Ph.D. program and time is....well, a valuable commodity. I unfortunately don't have time to baby them like I used to.

I love my plants, but I also value my sanity.

I think you answered your own question already

[Leafmite]

I would toss them. It sounds like this is a continuing issue. I have learned that the only plants worth fussing over are the ones that are either expensive, exceptional or difficult to replace (and valued in the collection). You can always treat yourself to something new.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I would toss them. It sounds like this is a continuing issue. I have learned that the only plants worth fussing over are the ones that are either expensive, exceptional or difficult to replace (and valued in the collection). You can always treat yourself to something new.

Spot on. I do think it pays to have an arsenal of chems to hit the plants HARD and fast when the need arises. A good pesticide (I like Imacloprid as a systemic, and Chas 48 as a flamethrower -- ie a contact killer for bad cases) a serious fungicide like Mancozeb powder (which doubles up as a dessicant powder) and a serious mite killer.

I don't mess about with so called natural remedies, because those mostly just buy the bugs time to do real damage.

[Reeses]

Originally Posted by bil

Spot on. I do think it pays to have an arsenal of chems to hit the plants HARD and fast when the need arises. A good pesticide (I like Imacloprid as a systemic, and Chas 48 as a flamethrower -- ie a contact killer for bad cases) a serious fungicide like Mancozeb powder (which doubles up as a dessicant powder) and a serious mite killer.

What do you recommend, bil? I have been fortunate enough not to have many problems thus far, so I think part of the issue is that I was woefully unprepared when something did strike.

[Mocres]

Originally Posted by bil

Spot on. I do think it pays to have an arsenal of chems to hit the plants HARD and fast when the need arises. A good pesticide (I like Imacloprid as a systemic, and Chas 48 as a flamethrower -- ie a contact killer for bad cases) a serious fungicide like Mancozeb powder (which doubles up as a dessicant powder) and a serious mite killer.

I don't mess about with so called natural remedies, because those mostly just buy the bugs time to do real damage.

Bil, please, could you tell me the commercial names of those products? I'm in Spain, so I will probably be able to buy them, but I fing it very difficult to do it based purely on the generic name... Chemistry is not my thing.
Thaks a lot.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Mocres

Bil, please, could you tell me the commercial names of those products? I'm in Spain, so I will probably be able to buy them, but I fing it very difficult to do it based purely on the generic name... Chemistry is not my thing.
Thaks a lot.

Well, the firstt thing is, locate a place that sells fertiliser and pesticide in bulk quantities.

Now comes the problem. Spain has brought in rules that you have to go o a course ad get a phytosanitary card. I keep menaing to get one, but I have always had a problem in getting to a course.

So in the meantime, I have a friend with a card and he buys me stuff.

Te important thing is, that you get GENERIC stuff. Imacloporid comes under a different name every time I buy the stuff, so you ask for 'Imacloporid GENERICO porfa'. It is the difference between ppaying 100+ Euros for a litre of Cnfidor, or 25 euros for a litre of generico.
Chas 48 is the only name that stuff has. Do be careful as both will burn, but Chas is really nasty.
Mancozeb fungicide. Buy it by the 500g or kilo sack. It may well be 10 years worth, but it's so much cheaper than buying sachets..
The acaricide, I have no idea other than 'Acaricido generico'
Make notes of how much a litre to dose. Imacloporid is 1cc per litre, Chas 2ccs per litre, and I can't remember the amounts for the acaricide and the fungicide.

Keep them in a safe, cool dark area that is lockable.
I like to have one spray for them and another for herbicide (generic glyphosato) a fraction the cost of roundup and every bit as good.

Oh yah, I found a place that sells 20.20.20 fertiliser, by post, at 30 euros for ten kilos. (inc postage.) Tell me if you would like the address.

[dounoharm]

as in above, lol....whenever your environment is not conducive to a pleasant plant experience!....if you don't have a greenhouse, and you don't have a 'designated plant room/space' and the plant is not of cultural value, the trash can is appropriate....as in noids...just get another one and don't shed a tear! we keep plants because they give us joy....and most of us don't operate a plant hospital...even when I had a big greenhouse, people would bring me sick plants I STOPPED THEM AT THE DOOR! I do not want to make my greenhouse sick with some noids scale or mealy bug or disease....so, chunk em and move on....

[Leafmite]

I remember the days of people bringing me their sick plants and the resulting whitefly infestations. I finally had to spread the word that I would no longer take them.

[Reeses]

Thank you all for your advice! I am starting to think that tossing them is the best thing to do...at least for me, if not for them. I always hesitate with it, because I feel a sense of responsibility for them and a desire to do all I can do to keep them alive.

But, in the case of those three, I really don't feel like they're thriving. Plus, like you said, if I do that, I could have more room for new ones!
Shame about the Twinkle, though. It's a Fire Red, which is my favorite of the colors