Dear Orchid Doc:

I live in Ghana and read somewhere that you fertilise your Rhynchostyllis thrice a week! Really? What do you feed them on?

Kate Ayensu

Dear Kate:

It is a pleasure to know that we are being read as far away as Ghana. Thank you also for your question.

We use any soluble fertiliser which would include 20-20-20, Bloom Booster, Epsom salt, and trace elements.

May I also suggest that you reduce the recommended dosage.

Dear Orchid Doc:

You mentioned in an article some time ago that insects don’t really kill orchids, but I have some slugs that have almost finished eating my Dendrobiums. They seem to come out at night, and I am an early sleeper. I have dogs and cats so I cannot use the slug pellets. Apart from going out at nights and cutting them into two parts, and the slug pellets, is there another solution?

Meikle

Dear Meikle

You could use guard, but the slugs would have to eat the plant before they can be killed.

I don’t know if I like this method, but if you have no choice – feel free.

One other thing I must tell you is that often times the slugs are under the same pot that you have the trouble with. Get up very early before sunrise if you cannot go out late into the night. The slugs usually move before the sun comes up.

Betty Stephenson Ashley

Betty’s Farm Garden Supplies

161 Constant Spring Road,

Kingston 8, Jamaica.

Cell # 876-3224585, 8700191

876-931-8804, 876-755-2204

Fax 876-931-8805

bettystephensonashley@gmail.com