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 appear to come out at nights, and I am an early sleeper. I have dogs and cats, hence I cannot use the slug pellets. Apart from going out at nights and cutting them into two and destroying the slug pellets, is there another solution?

J Graham

Dear J Graham

There is also slug guard.

The problem with slug guard is that the slug would have to bite the plant before the slug can be killed.

I personally do not like this method, but if there is no other choice…

One other thing I must tell you is that oftentimes the slug is under the same pot with which you have the problem. Get up before sunrise if you cannot go out late at night, as the slugs usually move before the sun comes up.

Dear Orchid Doc;

The tips of my Vanda are turning yellow. Can you tell me what is wrong?

Donna

Dear Donna:

When one sees the tips of the vandas turning yellow, it means something has gone wrong with the root system. Invariably, the result of using too much fertiliser! If this is so, you will need to flush the plant with lots of water.

As a precaution, flush once weekly with pure water to get rid of the build-up of fertiliser, and other chemicals.

Dear Orchid Doc:

I have some Vandas that I recently bought. They are blooming but have no roots. A friend suggests that I cut the bloom off, but I am apprehensive.

Help!

Carla

Dear Carla:

Cut the spike if the orchid has no roots. This will redirect the energy

Betty Stephenson Ashley

Betty’s Farm Garden Supplies

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Kingston 8, Jamaica.

Cell # 876-3224585, 8700191

876-931-8804, 876-755-2204

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