enstar II - Orchid Board

ericst11 · #1 10-18-2008, 02:27 PM

Has anyone used enstar ? Is the stuff really worth the money and does it work.

OrchidTess · #2 10-18-2008, 07:53 PM

YES! My Catts were being ravaged by scale, nothing I used was working. Bayer Tree & Shrub with Enstar II added saved my collection. Ray of First Ray Orchids made the suggestion to me when I posted my desperate plea for help. I am so happy I took his advice. I now use it every 3 or 4 months and I have no scale, no mites, no mealys, no crickets and very few ants in my greenhouse.

Sandy4453 · #3 10-18-2008, 08:07 PM

I haven't heard of Enstar but I like what you've written here, OrchidTess. I was recommended Neem oil which I used and noticed that my Phals have since been showing adverse effects on some of the leaves...not 100% sure if it was the Neem but, I'm a bit skeptical now about the stuff.

cowboy51278 · #4 10-18-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

I haven't heard of Enstar but I like what you've written here, OrchidTess. I was recommended Neem oil which I used and noticed that my Phals have since been showing adverse effects on some of the leaves...not 100% sure if it was the Neem but, I'm a bit skeptical now about the stuff.

when I use the neem (or anything for that matter) i shut off my grow lights or pull the plants away from all light in general until it has dried. i fried the snot out of some zygos a few years ago because the neem oil intensified the light in the drops left on the leaves and i got some severe spotting. very frustrating!

OrchidTess · #5 10-18-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

I haven't heard of Enstar but I like what you've written here, OrchidTess. I was recommended Neem oil which I used and noticed that my Phals have since been showing adverse effects on some of the leaves...not 100% sure if it was the Neem but, I'm a bit skeptical now about the stuff.

Yes, I agree Sandy! I think it clogs the stomata/pores. If I use Neem I dilute it more than called for. I also dilute the Bayer product more when I use it on my Phals. Cowboy is right, if you use any lights that generate heat then you can burn the leaves when using an oil based product.

Sandy4453 · #6 10-18-2008, 09:05 PM

What a picture this conjurs up...

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy51278

i fried the snot out of some zygos...

I'm growing my orchids in natural light on a patio but I did take caution when spraying and kept out of any direct light. I'm with you though cowboy, I never spray when they're getting direct, bright light.

OrchidTess, I've used Bayer Rose systemic and it worked but will look for the one with Enstar, next. I never had need to spray my Phals and did it as a preventive measure while using the Neem on my Dends and Toulminias. Never again! Thanks for this additional info.

OrchidTess · #7 10-18-2008, 10:18 PM

You have to buy Enstar II seperately and add it.
What did the Neem do to your Phals? Mine started to get yellow tips.
I suddenly had signs of Mites and that's when I used the Neem. Maybe the yellow tips are from the mites but a lot of the Phals that had no mites now have yellow leaf tips, so I blamed the Neem.

Sandy4453 · #8 10-18-2008, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrchidTess

You have to buy Enstar II seperately and add it.

OH....

Glad you pointed that out, OT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrchidTess

What did the Neem do to your Phals? Mine started to get yellow tips.
I suddenly had signs of Mites and that's when I used the Neem. Maybe the yellow tips are from the mites but a lot of the Phals that had no mites now have yellow leaf tips, so I blamed the Neem.

The older leaves have gotten limp on about 10 of my Phals. I find it hard to believe they were getting ready to die off which, never go limp before turning yellow. I had no mites or any critters on mine. As I mentioned, just used it because I thought, it couldn't hurt...HA!

ericst11 · #9 10-19-2008, 06:51 AM

Orchidtess at what amount did you give the plants when use with a pesticide. I'm using a systemic pesticide would that work or would that be to harsh.

OrchidTess · #10 10-19-2008, 08:30 AM

Sandy if the leaves were older then they were probably getting ready to die off....it's the new/newer leaves that should cause alarm. BUT it's not out of the question that the Neem might have excellerated their demise.

Eric, I think I added 1 teaspoon or 1.5 teaspoons per gallon and I used a systemic. I think the Enstar website tells you what insecticides it is compatible with.