APHIDS

[mclyle]

Anyone know where to get some really "fresh" live ladybugs? I bought a bag from a plant show a few months ago, got home, and 1/3 of them were dead! I bought a ladybug house, too...waste of money. Only the dead ones stayed in there... I need some fast help for some (aphids?). I thought baby ladybugs at first (red), but then saw larger black bugs of the same shape on another orchid.

[Swamper]

I've heard gardenias are aphid magnets, so look out for that possibility.

[Des]

I've found that spraying aphids that are on buds or flowers with an insecticide causes the dead bodies to adhere to the bud or flower so that you end up with black spots spoiling the flowers . so I gently wash them off the flower first,then place a plastic bag over the flowers before spraying the rest of the plant

[mclyle]

Des,
What do you use to wash them off the flower? I've heard you can use just a handful of soap suds from a mild detergent, but don't know if this is really true. My MILTASSIA SHALOB TOLKEN bloomed today in spite of the bugs (which I can't find now). I'm thrilled as a first-timer and appreciate any suggestions to keep this beauty safe! I'll try to upload a picture. Thanks, McLyle

[Des]

I get aphids on my Cymbidium buds every year, this year, so far, there has been no sign of them so I think they might be falling prey to my sticky traps in their flying stage .However should they appear I use a small one liter watering can filled with tepid water into which i include one drop of wetting agent, which reduces surface tension . I gently wash the buds off using my fingers to remove any that won't move . This usually works for me .

[mclyle]

Des,
By wetting agent, do you mean a drop of liquid soap?

[Des]

Originally Posted by mclyle

Des,
By wetting agent, do you mean a drop of liquid soap?

The wetting agent I use is made for use with insecticides and fungicides. There are a number of different types some are called wetters and some are called spreaders . I have found that by adding a few drops to my feed water I don't get much mite on my Cymbidium leaves now . There are a number of commercial growers now using this product for keeping bugs at bay . The way it works is that as you know most bugs have a skin that repels water ,by adding the wetter they get soaked and will either move to greener pastures or drown.Your local garden shop should be able to advise you .
I am not sure about using liquid soap as it might change the PH of the media in the pot

[mclyle]

Des,
Thanks a lot for your help. I'll check on it tomorrow!
McLyle