Dear Orchid Doc:

I have been advised  to spray my vandas  with a systemic  pesticide and fungicide once  per week. I use Ridomil and  Cure. But I am concerned  about the concentration of  chemicals in the soil over  time and just my overall  environmental footprint. Are  there natural alternatives that  can be used instead which  are as effective?

— Walker

Dear Walker:

Spraying once  per week is really  not necessary unless your  orchids are sick. Once per  fortnight will suffice —  unless there are heavy rains.  Your environmental  concerns are noted. So, on  your next visit to the farm  store do ask for a biological  insecticide.

Dear Orchid Doc:

I have a phalaenopsis that has grown so tall that it is beginning to lean to one side, plus the pot can no longer stay upright without support. I was thinking of repotting it, but there are leaves all the way to the base of the orchid. What are your thoughts on this?

— JO

Dear JO: Repot it in a larger pot and stake the plant. A much larger/ older plant will be very showy when next in bloom.

Dear Orchid Doc:

A friend has advised that I can mix 20-20-20, bloom booster, pesticide and fungicide for a single application on my orchids. Another has indicated, however, that I should try nutrient application and pest and fungicide treatment on different days because they are intended to address very different plant needs. Who is correct?

— Debra

Dear Debra:

Some chemicals will neutralise each other. The key is to know which ones are compatible. That said, most people use all three to create a single solution as this cuts down on time; or incorporate the fungicide and insecticide in one mix and then do the food separately.

Betty Stephenson Ashley

Betty’s Farm Garden Supplies

161 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8, Jamaica. Cell #: 1 876-322-4585, 1 876 870-0191 876-931-8804, 876-755-2204 • Fax: 1 876-931-8805 bettystephensonashley@gmail.com