general purpose insecticide/fungicide - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 05-31-2010, 12:24 PM

Hi all,
Will you please give me an opinion of my 'home remedy' insecticde/fungicide concoction? I've never tried it....it's just a thought. I've read several different combinations....some for only soft body insects, some for hard body, and some as a fungicide, etc.. I have in mind alcohol, dishwashing liquid, cooking oil, cinnamon and water...all together in a spray bottle) I'm wondering if combining these would be good as a general purpose 'home remedy' treatment and if so, what portion of each ingredient would you recommend ?? I'm sure I sound lazy to some people (which I'm not), and I'm also guessing that if my all purpose concoction is a good idea, experienced growers would be using it or something similar. Would you also tell me if any of these in conjunction with any other(s) would work again each other.

I have nothing at all against stronger 'big gun' treatments, if necessary. Again, this is just a thought.
Vicki

Swamper · #2 06-01-2010, 02:08 AM

Hi Vicky haven't seen you in a while I can't believe its been almost 2 years since you first joined wow!!!
I couldn't sleep (cat meowing ) and peeked in and here you are. Nice to see you

. About your question...that is some concoction you thought up. I don't think it'll work because some of those cancel each other out. My mind is too foggy to think straight right now but I'll get back to you later on it if someone hasn't by then. Good seeing you.

VickiC · #3 06-01-2010, 04:51 PM

Hi Joe,
Nice to see you, too. Yep...2 yrs. Unreal, huh?! The main reason that I haven't been around posting much is because of eye problems since 1st part of Feb...infection, other stuff, too. Awful. My dry eyes didn't help, either. All this is much better, for the most part. Anyway, the monitor was not my friend. Way too much glare. So, how are you? Finally get any sleep last night? Maybe your cat decided to take a break? Now, on to my question. Maybe it was stupid, but the bright idea hit me because I've had issues with the bug family and fungus lately. I've just had this 'unwelcome company' on my mind. Two of my Phals had mealy bugs, 4 Dens. had spider mites, another Den had some type of fungus, 4 Vandas had scale...all in ICU. When it rains, it pours. You're probably right about my concoction. Maybe others will chime in and give us their opinion, too.
Take care and I hope to talk with you again soon,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamper

Hi Vicky haven't seen you in a while I can't believe its been almost 2 years since you first joined wow!!!
I couldn't sleep (cat meowing ) and peeked in and here you are. Nice to see you

. About your question...that is some concoction you thought up. I don't think it'll work because some of those cancel each other out. My mind is too foggy to think straight right now but I'll get back to you later on it if someone hasn't by then. Good seeing you.

Swamper · #4 06-01-2010, 10:18 PM

Nah I just kicked the cat out. Well not kicked, I like my kitty. But I did have a hard time going back to sleep for some reason. Strange night.
Back to your problem. I think I would just mix the soap and water and add some alcohol.
Are you sure you're not getting lazy? LOL

VickiC · #5 06-02-2010, 12:04 AM

I'm glad to know that you didn't literally kick your kitty out...I like kitties, too. Ah...I know why it was a strange night and you had a hard time going back to sleep. You're working too hard...too tired to sleep...Harleys on the brain. Ya think? Ok, on to my concoction.....my idea of adding cinnamon would be the fungicide ingredient, of course. Now that your head is 'unfoggy', is that mainly the ingredient you think would work against the others? If not that, then exactly what? Oh, and by the way, yes I'm sure that I'm not getting lazy (old, but not lazy).....just a thought to avoid mixing two separate spray bottles, 1 for varmits, one for fungus (hmmm...that does sound sorta lazy, doesn't it?) I'm beginning to wonder if other people think it's a goofy idea since no one other than you has responded. But then, it was good to hear from you, so thanks for replying. I always appreciate advice.
Take care,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamper

Nah I just kicked the cat out. Well not kicked, I like my kitty. But I did have a hard time going back to sleep for some reason. Strange night.
Back to your problem. I think I would just mix the soap and water and add some alcohol.
Are you sure you're not getting lazy? LOL

Swamper · #6 06-03-2010, 09:11 PM

LOL I think maybe you're right about why other people haven't responded.
I think that once you wet the cinnamon, it's worthless. On the other hand a lot of brilliant inventions develop from crazy ideas.
For now though, I think you will have to use the two bottles.

VickiC · #7 06-04-2010, 12:49 AM

again Joe,
I got the recipe for using cinnamon mixed with either alcohol or water to be used as a fungicide from Ray's site .

First Rays' Home Remedies

Scroll down to 'Fungicides' then further down to 'Spray'. I've also gathered info from other members posts here on OB.

Ray has a lot of good info on his site, in case you haven't already checked so I've decided that I should best stick to using 'treatment recipes' created by experienced growers. I don't think 2 yrs.ranks me up there with the pros. LOL!! ...So, I plan to do as you suggest and mix up two bottles and stop trying to try my hand as an 'amateur inventor' lol By the way, I meant to comment on your Vandas. I know you must have some beautiful blooms down there in Miami.....and they look awesome living on your trees. Are yours doing well? I've not had bloom #1 yet on any of my four. Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that Alabama is not exactly tropical? lol I'm trying my best to provide the conditions in my greenhouse that they like, so maybe they just don't like Alabama. ?? I'm wondering if anyone around me has had success with Vandas. I won't give up, though.....stranger things have happened.
Take care,
Vicki

QUOTE=Swamper;317572]LOL I think maybe you're right about why other people haven't responded.
I think that once you wet the cinnamon, it's worthless. On the other hand a lot of brilliant inventions develop from crazy ideas.
For now though, I think you will have to use the two bottles.[/QUOTE]

orchids3 · #8 06-04-2010, 09:29 PM

Hi,
Am having good luck with Dog flea and tick shampoo mixed with alcohol in equal amounts (1 part) to 9 parts water. Works good for me. You dont want the expensive shampoo with lanolin by the way. Sometimes I make it a little stronger

VickiC · #9 06-04-2010, 09:53 PM

'Dog flea and tick shampoo'?! Wow, you're serious, aren't you?! I've never heard of this before.....thanks so much for the tip! I'll sure try that!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchids3

Hi,
Am having good luck with Dog flea and tick shampoo mixed with alcohol in equal amounts (1 part) to 9 parts water. Works good for me. You dont want the expensive shampoo with lanolin by the way. Sometimes I make it a little stronger