What critter did this?

[slippery_biscuit]

This plant bloom earlier this year. From a certain ebay vendor whose name we won't mention. I've got it to replace the dead roots it arrived with and a spurt of new growth. Saw this bud forming up a few days ago. Today I picked up the plant to have a closer look and I didn't expect to see this. I'm guessing a slug or catapillar, altho I've seen no signs of either.

Should I nip this and remove it from the greenhouse?

[Anton]

Slugs and snails don't eat a hole through like that, they generally eat accross the leave and leave a track like trail that has the appearance of gouge marks. I'll post an image when I get home from work tonight.

Also, snails will munch on the edge of the leaves as well, and I can show some images of this too.

What I did was put the pot involved, in a container of water which was just above the level of the potting mix, but not high enough for the mix to float out of the pot.

Then left it for an hour or so, and as these criiters are not good at snorkelling, they decided to come up for air and I was able to find out what they were, how many, and at the same time, send them to their "Maker".

I had 3 miniature slugs doing the damage, but not any more.

What made the bore hole, I can't say, but I hope this remedy, may help you find out, as a lot of these criiters live in the potting mix and only come out at night.

[tom499]

That is a very good technique

Its how i water my orchids every week and it really helps keep the potting mix free of bugs, as well as giving the bark a good soak.

[pikevi]

It looks like the work of earwigs (Dermaptera).

They come out in the dark from where they hide, usually in any areas offered by the plants.

Try some beer in a small saucer or any other shallow container. You may be able to trap it (them) if they are the culprits.

Good luck.

[Anton]

Drowning works just as good and you don't waste good beer.
SACRALIDGE I SAY !

[tom499]

my dad usually brews special beer for the traps or just uses a bad batch

[tizzycat]

I water also water my orcids in this way.

Tom do you water all types like this or just the phals??? I ask as I have recently bought a paph and an odontoglossom.

I have a zyg and a miltonia and use this method of watering for them also.

[slippery_biscuit]

I'll try the beer thing. I don't mind using up leftover Budlight; or do I need to use some good ale??

I did eliminate an earwig last week, so that qulifies them as suspects.

Thanks for the pointers!

[Anton]

Tom, NO SUCH THING AS A BAD SCOTCH !

Go wash your mouth out now !!!

[pikevi]

hmmmm... Am I missing something? I am yet to taste scotch.

I have been quite content with my heineken,vermouths,courvoiseur and liqueurs. I do have a few bottles of chivas royal salute (gifts ,of course) in the cabinet. I have no intention of trying it as yet.One or two bottles have been there for almost 10 yeras and that means they have been aged for more than 30 years

May be I should trade chivas for some orchids.

[Anton]

Yes, Chivas is just glorified gargle water which hides under the name "scotch".

Chivas is like getting Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Semmilon, and Reisling mixing them and calling it a Premium White.

I am a purist I am afraid and when not drinking single malts only allow pure malt scotches to cover the palate, that way you don't corrupt the taste buds with inferior tastes.

[Orchidflowerchild]

Originally Posted by Anton

Yes, Chivas is just glorified gargle water which hides under the name "scotch".

Chivas is like getting Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Semmilon, and Reisling mixing them and calling it a Premium White.

I am a purist I am afraid and when not drinking single malts only allow pure malt scotches to cover the palate, that way you don't corrupt the taste buds with inferior tastes.

Bleh..brown liqours... I like clear spirits. Vodka, light rum, silver tequila, and occasionally, gin.

Standard cocktail for me is a Cape Cod. Cosmo, if I'm feeling particularly froofy, and a martini (dirty, with two olives) if I need a stiff one.

Or just vodka or tequila shots. However, on nights like that, watch out. I'm kindof a baraccuda, when I'm doing shots.

-Cj

[Anton]

Well Cj, if you like the white spirits, then you must be a Long Island Ice tea lover. Get to drink all of them at once.

Wiped myself out on a few of those in my day too.

[Orchidflowerchild]

Originally Posted by Anton

Well Cj, if you like the white spirits, then you must be a Long Island Ice tea lover. Get to drink all of them at once.

Wiped myself out on a few of those in my day too.

Yes, yes I do, as long as I know the bartender/trust his abilities to make a good drink. But normally, I stick to a cape cod. It's businesslike and efficient, without being straight booze. Plus, who can screw up cranberry, vodka and a squeeze of lemon? I've had some nasty long islands, in my day...

-Cj

[pikevi]

I am hardly a connoisseur of beverages. I can always detect the taste of my pepsi anytime anywhere . Alcoholic beverages are just some smelly stuff with a few being exceptionally tasty

May be scotch is tasty too

[tizzycat]

pikevi, scotch is great you could even add a dash to your pepsi but only to the plain stuff not the Malts - I can already sense Anton cringing.

Any how did we get onto Scotch - have I missed something??
I think Tom said "bad batch" - too man single maltzzzzzzz Anton.

[jay]

You have not had a real drink until you have tried Remy Martin King Louis XIII. This goes for about $100-140 an ounce/shot, or about $2000+ a bottle.

But it drinks like silk.

jay

[pikevi]

tizzycat: Thanks . may be someday . Couple of my friends will scream if I even talk about mixing any other drink with scotch.

I would even add ice to pepsi if it is not cold enough.

jay: I have tasted it . It is , at least to me , a bit more pungent. I think they both are in the same price range- NOT AFFORDABLE