Dear Doc:

I love to look after my orchids. However, I don’t like to wear gloves while doing repotting, or in general while tending to them, and I tend to get charcoal under my nails which can be very untidy and hard to get rid of. Do you have any suggestion as to what to do to get my nails clean again?

Dear Eunice:

There is an old trick to remedy your issue. Rake your fingernails into a wet bar of soap before you start gardening. The idea is to get the soap under the nails first before the dirt. When you are finished working, wash your hands and the dirt will come out much easier.

Doc:

When my orchids have all budded and are about to bloom the buds just dry up and turn black. Help!

— Ramch

Dear Ramch:

There are insects plaguing your orchids, causing the buds to dry up. Please visit the farm store and ask for a chemical to kill thrips. You must remember that no medication works after one dosage. Use at least three to four times, and then you can go back to the usual spraying.

Betty Ashley is an avid orchid enthusiast who has spent decades successfully cultivating orchids for herself, as well as for orchid lovers across the island, earning herself the title ‘Orchid Doc’. Send your orchid questions and/or concerns to: bettymay@flowja.com