Safe for Orchids?

[Paph_LdyMacBeth]

Does anyone know is this product is safe to use on Orchids, as it is not labeled as such. I'm thinking primarily paphs, phrags, and masdevallias?
I've had a spider mite problem that seems resolved (fingers crossed) with neem spray treatments, but I'd love to have something stronger if there's a recurrence.
Unfortunately (and not so unfortunately) the Provence I'm in as recently adopted strict pesticide laws so many traditional products are impossible to get a hold of.
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/...artial&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber

It contains:
D-phenothrin 0.20% & Tetramethrin 0.20%

Thanks!

 

[likespaphs]

can you get beneficial insects?
good info at: http://greenmethods.com/site/pests/

 

[Erythrone]

Good idea, likepaphs. I live in Canada and we can buy benificials rather easily. Although shipping in cold weather is impossible for some insects like Crypto bugs.


I don't have spider mites anymore since I introduced beneficial mites. I found A. persimilis very effective for me. I introduce them once a year.... or once every 2 or 3 years. Unfortunatly, mealies and thrips are most difficult to control!!

Paph Ldy MacBeth, if you are interested you can buy them from NIC (Ontario) or from Koppert or Plant Prod... there are many sellers. Here is NIC:

http://www.natural-insect-control.com/product.php?id=000000321

If you want to try that pesticide from Schultz: I shoud apply on a few leaves of your plants and wait 7 to 10 days. I never trust labels!!!!

I think many people use horicultural oil (like John M) against mites. But I have never used that product on orchids.

 

[likespaphs]

koppert has a side effects table that gives lengths of some residuals of pesticides
http://side-effects.koppert.nl/

 

[Erythrone]

Very interesting, likespaphs!!!

I did not know that table!

What beneficial insects or mites do you "use" successfully on orchids?

 

[likespaphs]

biobest also has a side effects manual http://www.biobest.be/neveneffecten/3/3/
it is important to make sure that there is no residual and not just that the company has not tested the beneficial and the pesticides
i've used lacewing larvae, N. californicus against broad/phalaenopsis mites, scale predatory beetles. maybe other things that i just can't think of now


a little off topic but here is a link to a pesticide mode of action chart from Dr Raymond Cloyd
http://www.ipm.msu.edu/grnhouse06/pdf/chartforpests.pdf

 

[Erythrone]

You are right, likespaphs. It is important to make sure that there is no residual! Beneficial insects and mites are tricky.

For me, it is easy. I use only soap, alcool and cinnamon. Sometimes I use Neem. Sometimes I use product with pyrethrine in another room (for quarantine).