Orchid Tip of the Month by Scot Mitamura

July brings us into the long and hot days of summer.  Our orchid plants should be growing fast, in fact this is when they will put on most of their growth and store the most food reserves.  To take advantage of this, we need to water heavily and more frequently.  Many of your  mounted or hanging orchids should be watered daily or more.  Take notice how fast the plants dry out.  Combine this with brisk trade winds, it's amazing how much water the orchids need in the summer.  For those who fail to do this, their orchids will just sputter along and just exist, but not thrive.  How many of you have these types of orchids?  Now we know what to change!
 
The summer heat brings a plethora of pest problems.  I am already getting the most common complaint about flower spikes and new shoots drying up and turning brown.  Of course it's the dreaded flower thrip.  Remember the Bayer 3 n 1. Spray the spikes early before the damage occurs and you should get nice flowers.  Another common summer pest problem is the spider mite.  They cause a silver to brown damage on the under sides of the leaves.  This area is a safe area that normally does not get watered.  I like to water under my orchid leaves to avoid this, provide adequate spacing, and air movement.  This will all help to control spider mites.  The Bayer 3 n 1 will also do the trick, but make sure you treat under the leaves.  This product contains an insecticide, a miticide, and a fungicide.  So it will pretty much cover most of your orchids summer pests.
 
If you have problems you can't figure out, please do not hesitate to email your questions to [email protected] and we will post answers and your questions on Orchid E. R.
 
Until we meet again...........keep on spending time with your orchids, it's the best way to keep social distance!
 
Aloha, Scot