Orchid Growers | Kaimuki Orchid Society

Sharing photos - Jan t

Sharing photos - Adam A

Sharing photos - Roy T - 3

Sharing photos - Jan t

1/11

In Person KOS General Meetings Canceled

Until Further Notice

It is hoped that we will be able to meet in the not too distant future when it is safe and allowed by the powers that be. You will be advised of the date and time when established.

Stay safe and healthy and give your plants some extra care, they will respond by providing you with joy and excitement!

In the meantime, ask a question via the "contact us" page.

Question: What eats the new orchid spikes?

Helpful tip: There appears to be at least two potential problems. The most common could be slugs and snails. There are several slug/snail bait products available at the garden supply shops such as Koolau Farmers, Home Depot, or Lowes. A common and popular product is Corry's Slug and Snail Killer. Many orchid enthusiasts use a product called Deadline which is purported to be a little stronger than Corry's. This product is not as prolific as Corry's so suggest inquire at Koolau Farmers. Both products are granular and are spread in the orchid pots as well on the around the ground area where the plants reside. The second potential problem might be birds. The most notorious are the Bubols who have a habit of showing up and gorging on plant buds. Occasionally they will snap off an orchid cane in the process. The most effective way to combat this is to provide the plants an area that can be protected from birds. An example might be a shade house that also employs bird netting to keep the birds out. This may not always be possible so an alternative is to spray the orchid canes and any new buds with an insecticide like Bayer's 3 in 1. This ostensibly makes the plants less palatable to the birds. Not as formidable as sheltering but better than no treatment. Another method sometimes employed is to take a small patch of bird netting, like about 2 - 3 square inches and clip this on to the orchid cane near the buds. This can be tedious but has worked to fend off the birds. Thank you for your question.