to treat or not to treat

[OrchidArmyWife]

I am just wondering since I have had no problem with bugs on any of my orchids, should I treat them or not to prevent any problem in the future? I have flower pharm which requires evening spray just not sure if I should do that or not.

[mayres]

If you only have indoor plants and have no visual evidence to suggest there is a problem I would not worry about spraying them - if nothing else just from an added cost factor. Quite a few people on the forum use worm tea as a spray/mist regularly for plant nutrition, that coincidentally has good organic/natural pesiticide properties - nice to get dual purpose out of a product. mike

[PhalPal]

Hi OAW!!! FlowerPharm suggests daily spraying if you have an active infestation. I use it maybe once a month or so, and that is mostly to shine up the leaves and 'just in case.' It must work as a great preventative as well; I have never had bugs on either my inside phals or outside cyms.

[11Orchid126]

If you don't see any insects and you want to keep your plants clean, spraying them with a weak solution of mild, soapy water works well. You can put a teaspoon of dish liquid in a quart of warm water and spray the plants well. This will also shine the leaves. Bugs don't like the taste of the soap.

[Tobi]

Hi Lisa,
I agree with Mike in that if you are growing indoors and have no visible sign
of insect infestation, them I would just continue what you are doing. I've
been using worm tea for over 2 months now and I haven't seen any signs of
fungal gnats or spider mites, which I have had an occasional battle with.