Pollution-free control methods for orchid pests and diseases and treatment of common physiological disorders
has existed since ancient times and is still commonly seen in modern times. Pollution-free control of orchid pests and diseases has the characteristics of being effective, low-cost, easy to source materials for, and free of side effects. Below are some folk remedies that have been passed down.
1. Tea seed cake. Tea seed cake is the residue left after oil is pressed from tea seeds, and farmers often use it to wash clothes. Tea seed cake contains saponin and glycosides, which have a good control effect on pests. Control methods: 1. Soak crushed powdered tea seed cake and boiling water at a ratio of 1:5 for a whole day and night, use it to drench the orchid pot, and at the same time drench the place where the orchid pot is placed and other orchid pots; it has a good control effect on snails. 2. Spray the orchid plants with tea seed cake water; the control effect on aphids and red spider mites is very good and can reach more than 90%.
2. Strong-smelling vegetables (scallions, garlic, chives, ginger, onions, etc.)
Strong-smelling vegetables each have their own distinctive odor, and their smell can play a role in killing insects and sterilizing. Control methods: 1. Take 25 grams of garlic, crush it and squeeze out the juice, dilute it in 10 liters of water, and immediately spray the orchid plants; it can control aphids, red spider mites, scale insects, and gray mold. Press peeled garlic into small pieces and place them at equal distances on the surface soil of the orchid pot; after a few days, earthworms and ants disappear. 2. Soak chopped scallions and water at a ratio of 1:30 for a whole day and night, then filter, and use the liquid to spray the orchid plants several times a day for several consecutive days; it has a good effect on controlling aphids, soft-bodied pests, and powdery mildew. 3. Use 500 grams of ginger, add 250 grams of water, mash and extract the juice, add 3 kg of water to every 500 grams of juice, and spray the orchid plants; it can control aphids. 4. Mix chive juice and clean water at a ratio of 1:60, use it to spray the orchid plants twice a day, repeating for several days; it can cure black spot disease. 5. Take 15 grams of chopped onion bulbs, put them in 1 kg of water and soak for 7 hours, then filter, and spray the orchid plants with the filtrate; it can control red spider mites and aphids.
3. Cigarette butts. Tobacco leaves contain about 3% nicotine. Nicotine has a strong contact-killing effect on pests. Take 20 cigarette butts and one portion of quicklime, add water, stir, soak, and filter, then add 30 portions of water, and use it to spray the orchid plants, potting soil, and the bottom of the pot; it can eliminate ants and other pests without a waxy coating.
4. Laundry detergent. Laundry detergent can dissolve the waxy coating of scale insects and at the same time form a layer of foam that wraps around the insect body, causing the scale insects to suffocate to death. Laundry detergent solution can control some pests and diseases. Control method: dissolve laundry detergent in a small amount of warm water, then dilute with water to a 1000-fold solution and spray the orchid plants; it can kill aphids, whiteflies, and red spider mites. Dilute to a 600-fold solution, spray once every 3 days, and spray 3 times consecutively; all scale insects die. After spraying the orchid plants with laundry detergent solution, once the pests are dead, the leaves must be rinsed several times with clean water.
5. Baijiu. Mix baijiu and water at a ratio of 1:2, spray the orchid plants once a week, and spray 3 times consecutively; it can kill scale insects.
6. Citrus peel. Placing citrus peel at the bottom of the pot can prevent ants and other pests from entering the potting soil and harming the orchids. Citrus peel can also be cut into small pieces and scattered on the surface of the potting soil without watering for a few days; it can control aphids, scale insects, and others. (Source: China Flower News)