Comments on: Costa Farm and Greenhouse http://webgarden.ca/Blog/2008/03/costa-farm-and-greenhouse/ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:02:57 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: :-) http://webgarden.ca/Blog/2008/03/costa-farm-and-greenhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-192 :-) Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:40:30 +0000 http://webgarden.ca/Blog/?p=55#comment-192 Sounds to me like you have either mealybugs or aphids - both of which are insects and are easily controlled with quick, timely action. The unfortunate side of having these pests is they can get into the tiny nooks and crannies of a plant, often avoiding contact with the pesticide. Repeat applications may be necessary in this case. The sticky residue you noted is a by-product of both of these insects: honeydew. If you ever witness these insects outside on your native plants surrounding your home, you'll notice the same sticky residue. Additionally, ants will often hang out with these insect pests forming a symbiolic relationship and helping to protect them. In turn, the ants feed off the honeydew! Quite interesting... Anyway, something as simple as a hard jet of water will knock off these insects and give you some control. If you want to go the less toxic route, use a dilute solution (10%) of rubbing alcohol and water and spray the plants once a day. Do not leave them in the sun, as they will burn. The quickest (and much more toxic) method would be any pesticide you find in a home/garden store. They all supply the same stuff - and most of these pesticides are broad spectrum so they'll kill a large range of plant pests. Good luck with your orchids! Sounds to me like you have either mealybugs or aphids – both of which are insects and are easily controlled with quick, timely action. The unfortunate side of having these pests is they can get into the tiny nooks and crannies of a plant, often avoiding contact with the pesticide. Repeat applications may be necessary in this case.

The sticky residue you noted is a by-product of both of these insects: honeydew. If you ever witness these insects outside on your native plants surrounding your home, you’ll notice the same sticky residue. Additionally, ants will often hang out with these insect pests forming a symbiolic relationship and helping to protect them. In turn, the ants feed off the honeydew! Quite interesting…

Anyway, something as simple as a hard jet of water will knock off these insects and give you some control. If you want to go the less toxic route, use a dilute solution (10%) of rubbing alcohol and water and spray the plants once a day. Do not leave them in the sun, as they will burn. The quickest (and much more toxic) method would be any pesticide you find in a home/garden store. They all supply the same stuff – and most of these pesticides are broad spectrum so they’ll kill a large range of plant pests.

Good luck with your orchids!

]]> By: Jaap van Hell http://webgarden.ca/Blog/2008/03/costa-farm-and-greenhouse/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Jaap van Hell Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:32:10 +0000 http://webgarden.ca/Blog/?p=55#comment-162 I have many orchids purchased over the years and produced by your company. Many have recently developed a disease, like a white snow flake type fungus that also produces a sticky transparent residue on the leaves and surrounding area. It must be contageous as it has been spreading to my other orchids as well. Can you please help me with this problem, I would like to save my plants. Thank you, Jaap van Hell 781-237-7178 I have many orchids purchased over the years and produced by your company.
Many have recently developed a disease, like a white snow flake type fungus that also produces a sticky transparent residue on the leaves and surrounding area. It must be contageous as it has been spreading to my other orchids as well.
Can you please help me with this problem, I would like to save my plants.
Thank you,
Jaap van Hell
781-237-7178

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