The Best Stuff Ever!!!

[Mallardman]

Now for the problem of getting the vodka.....

[PhalPal]

You can always just buy the ready made stuff - PharmSolutions, cinnamon flavor. It works great and isn't too pricey at $12.95 a quart.

It is very similiar to Brookes recipe but it has cottonseed oil in it as well to help suffocate the little buggers.

Do any of you remember the craze of turning an egg to rubber by putting it into a jar of vinegar for MONTHS???? I used to be so easily entertained! Chemistry was one of my favorite subjects in college and I thought I would hate it.

[Mallardman]

its great for pests but don't spray it on flowers it killed my phallanopsis flowers oh pink leopard pattern you will be missed..... a lot

[articuno75]

I've never sprayed it on the blooms, sorry to hear that it aborted the blooms.

[Lissbirds]

I have some sort of unidentified bugs living on my den/phal's surface roots and I'm thinking of trying the cinnamon solution. The den is potted in PrimeAgra (semi-hydroponic), and it's in full bloom right now (50+ flowers!), so I'm a little worried about treating it. (I've never had so many blooms before...I'm like afraid to breathe on it!)

Is this safe to use for an orchid in bloom? (So long as I don't get it on any of the flowers, obviously.)

Also, should I spray, or soak, or just pour the solution on the roots? I'm kind of hesitant to soak it since it's semi-hydro, since it's not an organic medium, the whole pot would be filled with drenched with the solution and that kind of worries me. Do you need to rinse afterwords? Also, how long should I treat? (I know, you can't really tell unless you know what kind of pest it is...I'll have to take some pictures tomorrow in the daytime so someone can identify these things.)

[articuno75]

Hello Lissbirds and welcome to the forum!

I wouldn't spray it on the flowers. For flowers and buds I use wormtea and it does a pretty good job and doesn't harm blooms or buds. As for the plant itself submerging the pot and letting it soak is best. This will not hurt the plant. Let it soak for a few. I've even let mine soak for hours without any ill effects. This also goes for my plants that are in S/H.

You do have to rinse the medium afterwards. Spray the plant for what buggers is on there, except for the buds and blooms, and rinse the medium when finished. You don't have to wash the plant off.

Hope this helps.

[Lissbirds]

Thanks, Jenny, for the warm welcome!

I'll give that a try when I can get out to the store and find that cinnamon extract. I was watering today and found those little bugs on two other orchids, which were also outside over the summer!

Also glad to hear I'm not the orchid enthusiast growing in S/H.

[CulpableCaptive]

Originally Posted by articuno75

I took all my newly bought chids and looked at the medium...
REPOT!!!

So.... I grab one orchid, clean it, repot. Noooo biggy. Next one,,, piece of cake . Then I grab The Burr. Dee Luce. OMG.....Everything known to man and then some was in that thing....

I'm talking snails with no shells, beetles, ants and yours truly, La Coo ka ra cha cockroach

I bout passed out.

Luckily I had made a batch of Brookn's dishsoap recipe in a big arse bowl and soaked them in it first. NO JOKE, It kills critters on contact. Even slugs and snails. I think it has to do with the extract. Don't know. All I know IT WORKS, I LIKE IT AND I'M STICKING TO IT....

Brookn, your mad science pays.....

I was so glad you posted this recipe the other day.
I happen to have cinnamon oil (medicinal quality) on hand and not only made your concoction but used it.
I did a little experiment - very little.
I sprayed other 'bug killers' I have on a few little critters and waited. They ended up going about their business.
I used the:
10 drops of detergent
1.8 ml of cinnamon extract
16 ounces of filtered water
on both previously sprayed bugs which were unaffected by my other 'bug killers' and I used it on bugs which had not been strayed with anything.
INSTANT DEATH.
I have already given away enough of this concoction to have used up all my cinnamon extract which was 29 ml (1 ounce).
I will go out and purchase more extract and hide it in a safety deposit box.
THE BEST INSECTICIDE I HAVE EVER USED and so far I have not seen any photo-sensitivity.
You meant it when you said - "NO JOKE"
___________________________________

EDIT: Although I will continue to use this as it, no doubt, works like a dream for its intended purpose...
- The new, more tender leaves and thin leaves of my Phaius foliage and the foliage of similar thinness on other orchids and houseplants are turning black. This is happening to both plants I have under fluorescent lights and natural daylight indoors.

I may need to tweak the formula a bit.
Or at the very least wait and see how far any damage to foliage may go.

___________________________________

“It is pleasant at times to play the madman.” – Seneca (5 BC – 65 AD)

[kid a]

It does the trick! And very well! PLus it smells grreeeaaatttt! The recipe everyone should try hahaha! Me or Jenny usually end up telling someone the recipe at almost evey society meeting at the CIOS lol!

[uknowho]

Cinnamon extract can also be found in the health suppliments section. I had no luck finding it on spice racks but found a bottle at Vitamin Shoppe. The GNC I checked do not carry it but some other might. Hope this help.

I am using it tonight on my plant but the mites are all over the blooms, not sure what I should do to get rid of those critters, since I do not have worm tea.

[wasabi8888]

Originally Posted by articuno75

10 drops dishsoap
1.8 ml cinnamon extract (about 1/2 tsp.)
2 cups tepid water

adjust ingredients as needed.

This is great for cleaning leaves, bacteria and fungal infections, bug teterrant, and now bug and slug killer !

Hi

Intereresting!!! Got a question though. After spraying the foliage and spagnum moss with the above recipe, do i need to hose down the the plants after?

Thanks

Jeff

[katsrevenge]

Originally Posted by wasabi8888

Hi

Intereresting!!! Got a question though. After spraying the foliage and spagnum moss with the above recipe, do i need to hose down the the plants after?

Thanks

Jeff

I never do.

[wasabi8888]

Hi

I live in Singapore and can't find cinnamon extract in the stores here.

I intend to get a friend to purchase from the US and send it over.

Question
1. Is Cinnamon extract a powdered form or liquid form?

2. I was searching the net and found that Mccormick brand carries the cinnamon extract. Can i purchase this? What other brands are there in the US so that I can give the right instructions to my friend.



Thanks heaps

Jeff

[Brooke]

Jeff read this thread

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...desiccant.html

A member, Ray, describes how to use the powdered form of cinnamon to add to any liquid solution you make. There is no reason to spend the extra $$$$$ to have the liquid shipped to you.

Brooke

[wasabi8888]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Jeff read this thread


A member, Ray, describes how to use the powdered form of cinnamon to add to any liquid solution you make. There is no reason to spend the extra $$$$$ to have the liquid shipped to you.

Brooke

Thanks.. Just posted a question on that thread....

I will look out for friends or colleagues who will be travelling to the States and ask them to buy for me... Shipping does not make sense of course....

Not sure there are other brands besides the Mccormick though

[edgy]

Hey, when you say you soaked the plant.....are you talking about the entire plant or just or just the potted portion......I'm about to bring some plants inside....before I do I want to repot and make sure I'm not bringing in any outside critters. What do you suggest?

[kid a]

Soak the whole plants leaves n all. After i take the plant out of it I usually run r/o water through the pot to rinse any soap residue. And I water them before hand. But if you are repotting them, just unpot and put the plant in it roots n all, if thre is an buggs you will see them fleeing for their lives if they are visible ones. I usually take a cotton ball or q-tip and clean the leaves while I am at it.

[edgy]

Thanks Kid A..........The winter here in Austin gets just cold enough that you don''t want to leave your plants outside and quite honestly......I think I'm ready to start growing a lot of them indoors now..........this was a great post and I'm glad that it's simple and natural.

[Dendian]

Yesterday I used this recipie to douse all the S/H plants which were showing teeny tiny silvery bugs swiming on the surface when I watered them. I watered first (holding until roots I could see on top were green), then watered with the solution and waited until the buggies stopped swimming (holding holes again), then put a bit more clean water on the top to flush out the bodies, then let drain and watered through intil I figured all soapy media was washed out. I suspect that they may be mealybugs, since I have been seeing more and more of these on my plants (in onesies and twosies and cleaning each time, but still getting more) but I don't really care who they are, as long as they go away. I have also soaked some of the plants in bark approximately the same way (using cottage cheese containers and bowls to hold the water level up). I check my plants every few days, so will let you know if the pests are gone next time I water.

With all the information in this thread, and the number of times I have used it, I would like to vote that it be made a sticky so people can find it up at the top.... Please?

[Schlyne]

Yes, I also vote this be a sticky.

Here is what I used, and it's been working great on the false spider mites. I have been retreating my plant as I see hatchings from eggs which aren't killed or eggs that were missed, I think. I did not soak the plant.


for a 32 oz bottle:

1 ml cinnamon essential oil (totally different from the extract)
15 drops dishsoap
1 tsp 70% rubbing alcohol
the rest tepid water

[articuno75]

I have now made this a "sticky".

[posha10]

I just recieved about 1,000 worth of infested orchids from my father, who is an avid colllector. He said they have "scale" and "mealy bugs"??? Im not real sure what either are, or how to get rid of. I read somewhere to make a mixture (1pt.) of 1/2 water 1/2 rubbing alcohol, and 1tsp. of dish soap. Is this the correct procedure? What can I do to salvage these beautys? Please help! I dont have a lot of money to spend on them, I sure would like to bring them back though>? Is it possible. New orchid owner..........

[bibliofloris]

Originally Posted by posha10

I just recieved about 1,000 worth of infested orchids from my father, who is an avid colllector. He said they have "scale" and "mealy bugs"??? Im not real sure what either are, or how to get rid of. I read somewhere to make a mixture (1pt.) of 1/2 water 1/2 rubbing alcohol, and 1tsp. of dish soap. Is this the correct procedure? What can I do to salvage these beautys? Please help! I dont have a lot of money to spend on them, I sure would like to bring them back though>? Is it possible. New orchid owner..........

Hello, and welcome!

Mealybugs look like tiny wads of greyish spiderweb or cotton to me. Scale looks like brown bumps. Both are bugs that can harm your orchids.

In my opinion, you'll need more time and attention than money to try and get rid of these bugs -- so yes, you have a good chance, if you want to! It's time consuming because they're really good at hiding and you'll often have to retreat in case eggs survive after the adults are dead.

If you have any other orchids or houseplants that are not infested, I'd immediately separate them from these so they don't get infested.

I used brooken's recipe in this thread when I had a mealybug infestation (that's actually how I found this forum!). I watered the plants, took them out of their potting mix, and put them in large tupperwares with some of the recipe and shook them around until I was sure the mixture got everywhere. Then I rinsed them off really really well. I had to repeat this a couple more times with a week or so in between. If I'd had more patience, I probably could have retreated with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol, as long as I was very careful to check every nook and cranny. (This wasn't particularly gentle on the orchids, but my infestation was bad and none of them were in bloom. All seem to have survived the process so far.)

Here's a thread on mealy bugs, if you want more information.

And here's a thread on scale.

A Google image search should bring up lots of pictures to help you identify which is which.

Good luck! It will probably take a while to solve, but if you keep at it you can succeed.

[tizzycat]

I did succeed with scale by removing any visible ones with a cotton bud soaked in Methelated Spirit. I do realise this is not an option if you have hundreds of infected plants.

[mytwogirls]

This whole thread has given me the creeps. I am scared to death of roaches...ewwwww! Jenny you are one brave woman!

[articuno75]

LOL

I'm creeped out that you actually read this whole thread.
This thread has gotten so big I'm surprised that it hasn't sprouted legs and started walking.

[purplegirl]

In one little pot--with a paphiopedilum I'd just bought--I once found:
--A heap of potting medium 2 feet wide.
--3 snails
--many many little brown bugs (fungus gnat larvae??)
--a centipede (!)
All in one little pot. Repotted it gingerly, but afterward, the poor ork died. I think it was my own fault, because I avoided it, not wanting more critter encoiunters. Next time, it's Brookn's remedy!

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by articuno75

LOL

I'm creeped out that you actually read this whole thread.
This thread has gotten so big I'm surprised that it hasn't sprouted legs and started walking.

It can sprout legs and walk....as long as it does not resemble a roach. If that happens I am outta here!

[Orchid_Love]

Do you think it would get rid of ants too that have made their home in cymbidiums pots? Can't wait to try it. Thanks!!

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by Orchid_Love

Do you think it would get rid of ants too that have made their home in cymbidiums pots? Can't wait to try it. Thanks!!

Yes it kill ants. For some reason it kills only some spiders. It stuns the rest of them. I guess that's just enough to hurry up and squish them.

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Yes it kill ants. For some reason it kills only some spiders. It stuns the rest of them. I guess that's just enough to hurry up and squish them.

Or hurry up and run away screaming

[pinky]

So for fungus gnats, would you just spray them and the medium, or would you have to soak the entire pot in the mixture so all the larvae are killed that are in the medium?

[articuno75]

I dunk my pots. You can do either or. I guess it would depend on convenience.

[Sandrilene]

yay I'm so happy I found this post I'm going to try that recipe next time I need to use stuff on my chids.

[Sandrilene]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Well, I keep a small bottle of it handy in case of buggies, (yuck) so I can spray them. Then I make some when ever needed for cleaning and pretreating. I use it to clean the leaves and treat and pretreat for fungus and disease. I don't know if Brookn keeps a bottle off hand. I do know that it kills slugs, flys, gnats, and cockroaches~ (From soaking the pot). I had mites on my Cyms, but got rid of them. I don't know if it was from the mix though because I also treated with Bayer 3 in 1.

I just make enough that I'm going to use at the time, usually about a 1/2 gallon to a gallon or so. The recipe is very flexible.

General curiosity how long did you soak the plant in the mixture? I think I'm going to try it on one of my chids.

[pinky]

So, before I repot my new phal, I guess I will do the dunk just to be on the safe side/ This may sound absolutely stupid, but I just wanted to verify that this will in no way cause any harm to the orchid itself.. and also, do I thoroughly rinse after to remove all the soapy residue, or is it ok if it just dries out like that?? thanks!

[articuno75]

I usually soak between a half hour to an hour and then rinse really well. I keep a spray bottle with the stuff handy. it's a great wash for the leaves and controls the little buggers.

[foxfire]

So if this awesome recipe can't be used on the flowers.. what can? I've got a zygo hybrid thats come down with some aphids...

[articuno75]

Wormtea. If I'm not using this I use wormtea and it won't hurt the flowers. UNLESS they are white blooms. It might tinge them.

[AprilsOrchids]

Originally Posted by Anton

ONLY an inch Kevin ????

I get 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" monsters in my GH regularly, that's what was eating my Rossioglossum and Coelogyne bulbs.

Ozzie roaches are REAL roaches.

you've got that right, Anton.

when i visited Australia, as a uni student, (long time ago now), staying in hostels, etc. i became used to dealing with critters in your bed, etc.

however, my most memorable bug experience was up towards Cairns, where the room had slatted doors - there was no keeping the bugs out anyway and you need the breezes during very hot nights and days.

anyway, i remember us sweeping the roaches out of our room every evening before going to bed, cuz they were to big to squish -- seriously they made the biggest, gross-ist sound if you stepped on them cuz they were twice as big as our one dollar coin (called a loonie with a picture of a loon on one side).

so sweeping em out seemed the best way to go.

yuck! i haven't thought about this for a long time.

April

[Sandrilene]

u could still soak the rest of the plant and just dab at the critters u see on the flowers over the course of a few days.

[Sandrilene]

Originally Posted by pinky

So for fungus gnats, would you just spray them and the medium, or would you have to soak the entire pot in the mixture so all the larvae are killed that are in the medium?

I just got rid of all my fungus gnats with this stuff I would submerge or make a batch and get two containers and flush the medium and orchid with it cause they are craft buggers dunking is best because soon as the water starts touching them mine fly off so i just dunk em so they don`t have a chance. This is my reaction. and i usually laugh evilly as i kill the bugs. In fact i recommend it its fun. ignore the people who look at you like you are crazy when you do so. I always do.

[psychopsislover]

how often do you spray? Just when you see it, or do you routine do to clean the leaves and all? Thanks for the recipe.

[articuno75]

I spray routinely every couple of weeks or so as maintenence. It can be used as often as you want as it does not harm the plants.

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by articuno75

10 drops dishsoap
1.8 ml cinnamon extract (about 1/2 tsp.)
2 cups tepid water

adjust ingredients as needed.

This is great for cleaning leaves, bacteria and fungal infections, bug teterrant, and now bug and slug killer !

I am going to try this sometime. I saw a naughty slug come out of one of my pots today!! Does the brand or type of dishsoap matter?

Thanks!
Shann~

[Julez]

I thought I read somewhere they used a Phospherus free - Morning Fresh?

I just checked my Morning fresh dish soap and it is Phospherus free.

[orchids4me]

Hi jenny,
Question about the worm tea.... Are you using a purchased bottle type or home made? Just wondering becaus I'm not sure if the kind you buy is clear or not vs. Homemade is tea color and will (if using homemade) spot up blooms and plant because of its color? If home made is ok and its gets splotchy (is that a word? Its underlined lol) what do I use to clean up the leaves that is safe to use? because for dust I'm using a fluffy feather duster very gently.
Thank you,
Emmaye

[PocoGigio]

Tried the "Best Stuff Evah" on my Onc. cheirophorum seedling in s/h. It was getting that light reddish brown rot that likes to creep along the leaves and p'bulbs. This stuff stopped it cold. I think it's saved.
Thanks Brooke.

Paula

[jims406ss]

I have some mites on one of my orchids use to have them on all of them I am spraying it with neem oil is that good stuff or is there somthing better. Just starting here have 5 now. appreciate all the help I can get

[zaeem]

neem oil is preventive.you have to use insecticide to kill mites etc.,
zaeem

[The newcomer]

so basically you just spray the plant with this stuff? and you can use any kind of dish soap? and can you use just regular tap water? so soap is ok to use on orchids?

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by The newcomer

so basically you just spray the plant with this stuff? and you can use any kind of dish soap? and can you use just regular tap water? so soap is ok to use on orchids?

I can never find cinnamon oil so I buy a premix off of repotme.com called "Get Off Me" that is made from cinnamon and soap and I add rubbing alcohol to it. Seems to work pretty good, plus if I get the spray all over me I am not worried about it and just end up smelling like cinnamon. Kinda nice!! lol

Shann~

[The newcomer]

oh ok, i have cinnamon will that work too? and all i need to know is if i can use hand soap because i don't have dish soap.
and tapid water just means lukewarm water but boil one part and cold on the other, should that be put in last? and is it still useful when it cools down?

sorry im a total noob at this.

[11Orchid126]

Try the spice aisle in your supermarket for the cinnamon oil.

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by The newcomer

oh ok, i have cinnamon will that work too? and all i need to know is if i can use hand soap because i don't have dish soap.
and tapid water just means lukewarm water but boil one part and cold on the other, should that be put in last? and is it still useful when it cools down?

sorry im a total noob at this.

Cinnamon powder isn't the same thing...you need cinnamon oil and I can never find it.

Good luck...

Shann~

[orchids4me]

[quote=Shannara;225679]Cinnamon powder isn't the same thing...you need cinnamon oil and I can never find it.

Good luck...

Shann~[/QUOTE)

I found cinnamon extract at safeway grocery store. It should be carried by most chain grocery stores on the spice isle usually kept same area as vanilla extract up top shelf area above all the powder spices. McCormick is the brand we find this area (most common brand)
Emmaye

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

I found cinnamon extract at safeway grocery store. It should be carried by most chain grocery stores on the spice isle usually kept same area as vanilla extract up top shelf area above all the powder spices. McCormick is the brand we find this area (most common brand)
Emmaye

I've looked all over all the spice isle's in several stores and it is nowhere to be found. I even looked last night in another smaller chain store and still nothing.

Thanks though...

Shann~

[Brisbanite]

Originally Posted by articuno75

I took all my newly bought chids and looked at the medium...
REPOT!!!

So.... I grab one orchid, clean it, repot. Noooo biggy. Next one,,, piece of cake . Then I grab The Burr. Dee Luce. OMG.....Everything known to man and then some was in that thing....

I'm talking snails with no shells, beetles, ants and yours truly, La Coo ka ra cha cockroach

I bout passed out.

Luckily I had made a batch of Brookn's dishsoap recipe in a big arse bowl and soaked them in it first. NO JOKE, It kills critters on contact. Even slugs and snails. I think it has to do with the extract. Don't know. All I know IT WORKS, I LIKE IT AND I'M STICKING TO IT....

Brookn, your mad science pays.....

Hi, what is dishsoap? Is it liquid detergent. I only have cinnamon powder. Do I need the extract?

[The newcomer]

Originally Posted by Shannara

I can never find cinnamon oil so I buy a premix off of repotme.com called "Get Off Me" that is made from cinnamon and soap and I add rubbing alcohol to it. Seems to work pretty good, plus if I get the spray all over me I am not worried about it and just end up smelling like cinnamon. Kinda nice!! lol

Shann~

yeah, i kind of changed my mind, can you give me the link to that stuff? thanks!

[The newcomer]

does it work just as well without rubbing alcohol?

[jeanne]

Is the cinnamon extract liquid or powder in a capsule that has been made after extracting from cinnamon bark?

[Fishmom]

The cinnamon extract is a liquid, commonly found in the spice section of a store. I believe it has an alcohol base. Many geeks have found it at Walmart, oddly.