Pest and disease (Orchids)

Orchids like other plants can be attacked by pests and diseases that come from insects, fungus (fungus), bacteria and viruses. Pests and diseases can interfere with growth, even at great attack can cause death in plants. The virus can not be treated, and can spread to other plants. If the plants exposed to the virus, the best way is to destroy it by burning. Suggestions for the prevention of pests and diseases: • Keep plants and environmental hygiene. Clean plants will prevent the emergence of micro-organisms. o Clean-root tubers, remove all the leaves and stem are brown roots before planting. Sela2 leaf midrib and stems can be potentially as a nest of vermin. o Soak the plants with a disinfectant and planting in clean media. o Clean all garden tools before and after use. • Control humidity. Humid air needed for the formation, propagation and spread of fungi. By controlling the humidity will reduce the level of development of fungi. Recommended humidity control are as follows: a. Plants and seeds of plants grown in pots with a solid material such as plastic. b. Improve air circulation in the area planted. Dispose of dead plants and old leaves to prevent the damp areas. c. Start planting area decreased slightly to form a good irrigation system and prevent puddles of water. • Conduct periodic spraying of pesticides. In the dry season is more focused attention to pest and insecticide spraying done more often if necessary. In the rainy season is more attention directed to the bacteria and fungus and fungicide spraying can be done more frequently. • Control of animal disease vectors. Ants, slugs / snails, rodents (mice) can carry the germs of fungi as. For the population of these pests should be kept minimum. • Quarantine new plants. If a new plant, do not directly coupled with the location of existing plants. Separate (quarantine) the orchid in a separate place a few weeks until I was sure the new plant is healthy. To avoid pest attack, I prefer to use an organic insecticide that is Neem Oil. Neem oil comes from trees mimba (neem-tree) and because it does not contain harmful chemicals so friendly to the environment. This proved minimal in my own orchids. Orchids growing in places there are small fish pond and earlier each time a chemical insecticide spraying there is a fish that died from poisoning. But after using Neem oil is no longer a dead fish in the pond, although there is still a remaining solution, and last but not least, my orchid collection is safe from pests. Plus, the leaves become shiny like it had been in the polish. Neem oil also includes a systemic insecticide, which when absorbed by the plants will be toxic to insects that will eat the plant. Neem oil can also prevent some fungi and bacteria (works as a fungicide). More information can be found on page NeemBa Oil. Chemical insecticides such as: Akothion, Decis, Kelthane, Supracide, Curacron etc. I use to clean the newly acquired plants, or if the pest has occurred. To prevent bacteria and fungus is also used sterilant / disinfectant Physan 20, Dithane-M45 and Benlate. Spraying done regularly, neem oil for 2-4 weeks, and fungicides 4-6 weeks depending on the time off. In the rainy season, spraying fungicide be more frequent (once a week), especially for Phalaenopsis species vulnerable to disease. Highly recommended to use a different pesticide spraying every time. Avoid the use of one type of pesticide for a long period of time, to avoid immune / immune to these pests to pesticides.