Spraying

Spraying, or foliar applications of solutions can provide solutions for many pest problems. Luckily they don't always have to be so toxic or leave any potential harmful residual. Unfortunately I don't no of any magic formula that's a "cure all".

Excellent spraying seems to be a combination of art and science. One needs to not only have good equipment and technique, but also have good understanding of the particular pest one is terminating. Knowing its reproductive cycle, which includes knowing its developmental stages, can assist in setting up a strategic plan of attack. 

So in this vast arena of the disease and insect armies, where does one begin? One begins by determining what cultural conditions -- light, water, nutrition, etc -- are relevant to the presence of these particular pests. Then systematically making adjustments to counter the conditions that lead to the pest problem. All the while setting up a plan of attack to annihilate the enemies.

Joy and delight emanated from the Dalai Lama after receiving three of our orchids from little Laura during his visit to Hawaii. His conversation turned to how much he loved these plants but somehow they never really grew for him. Was it the climate of the Himalayas? Or does raising orchids and pacifism not go hand in hand? I personally think it's the climate, but knocking out some pests can really improve the orchid sector.

There is a landslide of information concerning conventional, non-toxic compounds, and safe methods of pest control. The beauty of the Web is that there is an enormous amount of information as well as directions to sources. It's actually a lot of fun to Google your way.