ORCHID PESTS and DISEASES 101

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ORCHID PESTS and DISEASES 101
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A good defense is sometimes the best offense

• Problems may invite pests and disease
• ALWAYS
• PREVENT PROBLEMS
• IDENTIFY PROBLEMS
• CONTROL PROBLEMS

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PREVENTING PROBLEMS

• STRESS
• CAUSES DISORDERS THAT LEAVE YOUR PLANTS
  SUSCEPTABLE TO DISEASE AND PESTS

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PREVENTING PROBLEMS

• COMMON CAUSES OF STRESS
• TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE WATER
• TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS (TOO HOT OR COLD)
• NOT ENOUGH AIR FLOW
• LIGHT (TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW)
• HUMIDITY
• WATERING
• FERTILIZATION
• FAILURE TO REPOT

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PREVENTING PROBLEMS

• SANITATION
• GROWING AREA
• KEEP IT CLEAN FROM DEBRIS
• REMOVE OLD SHEATHS, AND SPENT FLOWERS
• DO NOT CROWD PLANTS
• REMOVE WEEDS AND NON-ORCHID PLANTS
• KEEP TOOLS CLEAN AND STERILE
• MAKE SURE YOUR GROWING AREA DOES NOT CAUSE PLANT
  STRESS

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PREVENTING PROBLEMS

• ROOT LOSS
• CULTURE
• ROOT ROT
• TOO DRY DRY, BRITTLE ROOTS
• TOO WET SPONGY OR SOFT ROOTS AND RHYZOMES
• TISSUE COLLAPSE
• COLD WEATHER
• CHEMICAL USE
• CULTURE CHANGE

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PREVENTING PROBLEMS

• ALWAYS QUARANTINE NEW PLANTS UNTIL YOU ARE SURE
  THEY ARE FREE OF PESTS AND DISEASE
• STORY 1 THE FRIENDS COLLECTION

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DISEASE PROBLEMS

• NON-VIRAL
• FUNGUS
• BLACK ROT
• LEAVES OR BULBS TURN BLACK AND ARE SOFT AND
  SPONGY
• REMOVE WITH STREILE KNIFE AND TREAT REMAINING
  PLANT WITH FUNGICIDE
• CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER PLANTS
• WATER PLANTS EARLY ALLOWING AMPLE TIME TO DRY
• ENSURE GOOD AIR MOVEMENT AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL

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DISEASE PROBLEMS

• BACTERIAL
• BROWN ROT (CROWN ROT)
• HIGHLY INFECTIOUS (TO OTHER ORCHIDS)
• USUALLY OCCURS IN CROWN OR AT LEAF TIPS
• WATER PLANTS EARLY ALLOWING AMPLE TIME TO DRY
  TRY NOT TO LEAVE STANDING WATER IN CROWN OF PLANT
• ENSURE GOOD AIR MOVEMENT AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL

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DISEASE PROBLEMS

• BACTERIAL
• BOTRYTIS
• USUALLY AFFECTS FLOWERS DURING TEMPERATURES BELOW
  60 DEGREES AND HIGH AIR MOISTURE
• BROWN SPOTS ON FLOWERS
• ENSURE GOOD AIR MOVEMENT AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL

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INSECTS

• SPIDER MITES
• THIN LEAFED PLANTS (DENDROBIUMS)
• THE PLANT JUICES SUCKED OUT CAUSING A BLEACHING
  OUT OF THE LEAVES MAY SEE WEBS
• THICK LEAVED PLANTS (CATTLEYAS)
• GREENISH COLOR ON BACK SIDE OF LEAVES
• CONTROL WITH MITICIDE
• SEVERAL APPLICATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY TO KILL ALL
  STAGES OF GROWTH (EVERY 5-7 DAYS FOR 2-3
  APPLICATIONS

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INSECTS

• SCALE
• HARD
• LIVES UNDER A SHELL OR TENT LIKE STRUCTURE
  INSECT SUCKS THE PLANT JUICES
• USE SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDE WHICH ABSORBS INTO THE
  PLANT MAKING THE PLANTS JUICES POISONOUS TO THE
  INSECT
• RESPRAY EVERY 7-10 DAYS 2-3 TIMES
• USE A WETTING AGENT TO ENHANCE PENETRATION

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INSECTS

• SCALE
• SOFT (MEALYBUGS)
• COTTONY RESIDUE
• LIKE TO CRAWL DOWN INTO AND UNDER SHEATHS
• USE SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDE WHICH ABSORBS INTO THE
  PLANT MAKING THE PLANTS JUICES POISONOUS TO THE
  INSECT
• RESPRAY EVERY 7-10 DAYS 2-3 TIMES
• USE A WETTING AGENT TO ENHANCE PENETRATION

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INSECTS

• ROACHES, EARWIGS, AND MILLIPEDES
• DAMAGE ROOTS AND EAT BLOOMS
• USUALLY ONLY PROBLEMS IN LARGE NUMBERS
• CONTROL WITH BAITS, TRAPS, AND INSECTICIDES
• THRIPS
• INJURE FLOWERS THROUGH SUCKING PLANT JUICES
• CONTROLED BY A WIDE RANGE OF INSECTICIDES

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INSECTS

• ANTS
• USUALLY ATTRACTED TO HONEY
• PLANT OR OTHER BUGS LIKE MEALYBUGS OR APHIDS
• IF HONEY IS GONE ANTS WILL BITE THE PLANT TO
  FORCE SECRETION OF SWEET JUICES
• WILL ACT AS SHEPARDS TO MEALYBUGS AND APHIDS FOR
  THEIR HONEYDEW
• WILL COLONIZE IN THE ORCHID POTTING MEDIUM
• CAN CONTROL WITH A VARIETY OF SPRAYS OR BAITS
• BAITS ARE CARRIED BACK TO THE QUEEN KILLING THE
  QUEEN. WITHOUT A LEADER THE COLONY IMPLODES ON
  ITSELF

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INSECTS

• APHIDS
• INJURE YOUNG FLOWER SPIKES AND FLOWERS THROUGH
  SUCKING PLANT JUICES
• SECRETES A HONEYDEW
• ATTRACTS ANTS
• CAUSES SOOTYMOLD TO GROW (BLACK MOLD)
• CONTROLLED BY A WIDE RANGE OF INSECTICIDES AND
  HOME REMEDIES

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OTHER GARDEN PESTS

• MICE OR RATS
• EAT FLOWERS AND POLLEN
• CAN GET INTO VERY SMALL OPENINGS
• ARE CONTROLLED BY POISON BAITS AND TRAPS
• STORY MY FRIEND THE RAT

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OTHER GARDEN PESTS

• CATERPILLARS
• ARRIVE FROM BUTTERFLIES OR MOTHS
• LARVAE HATCH AND BEGIN EATING ROOT TIPS, FLOWERS,
  SHEATHS, ROOTS, NEW GROWTHS
• ARE NOT AFFECTED BY MOST PESTICIDES
• CONTROL WITH BACTERIA (BK)
• STORY THE FRIENDLY BUTTERFLY

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OTHER GARDEN PESTS

• SNAILS AND SLUGS
• EAT FLOWERS AND SOFT PARTS OF PLANTS (I.E., NEW
  ROOTS AND NEW GROTHS)
• USE A METLDAHYDE BASED BAIT
• IF YOU OWN PETS (DOGS OR CATS)
• TRY TRAPPING OR INVITING THE SLUGS AND SNAILS
  OVER FOR A DRINK

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OTHER GARDEN PESTS

• SNAILS AND SLUGS CONTROL
• BEER
• PLACE IN CAN OR CONTAINER
• REPLACE BEER ONCE A WEEK
• BAITS MADE FROM IRON PHOSPHATE
• Sluggo, Es-car-go, and Safer's Slug Snail
  Bait THESE ARE SAFE FOR PETS
• GINGER, GARLIC, MINT, CHIVES, RED LETTUCE, RED
  CABBAGE, SAGE, SUNFLOWER, FENNEL, FOXGLOVE, MINT,
  CHICKORY ENDIVE SEEM TO BE LESS PRONE TO SLUG
  ATTACK. PLANT THEM AROUND THE PERIMETER OF YOUR
  GARDEN TO KEEP SNAILS AND SLUGS FROM
  INFILTRATING.

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OTHER GARDEN PESTS

• SNAILS AND SLUGS CONTROL
• ABRASIVE MATERIALS
• DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
• EGGSHELLS
• COFFEE GROUNDS
• SAND
• MUST BE KEPT DRY REAPPLY AFTER RAINS
• COPPER BARRIERS (TAPE)
• MUST BE AT LEAST 2 INCHES THICK
• ACT AS ELECTRIC SHOCK
• COFFEE SPRAY
• WILL REPEL SULGS AND SNAILS

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OTHER GARDEN PESTS?

• EARTHWORMS AND SOWBUGS (ROLLY POLLIES)
• IF YOU DECIDE THE GROUND IS A GOOD PLACE FOR YOUR
  ORCHIDS, EARTHWORMS AND SOWBUGS WILL THANK YOU
• THEY DEPOSIT SOME OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER SOIL
  IN THE WORLD IN YOUR ORCHID POT AFTER THEY EAT
  OLD LEAVES AND DEBRIS ON THE GROUND
• EARTHWORM CASTINGS ARE TOO MOIST FOR MOST ORCHIDS
  AND WILL USUALLY ENHANCE ROOT ROT

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CONTROL
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SAFETY FIRST

• APPLICATION SAFETY
• READ THE LABEL
• WHEN MIXING PESTICIDES WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
• LONG PANTS AND SHIRT OR COVERALLS
• CHEMICAL RESISTANT GLOVES
• GOGGLES OR RESPIRATOR
• SHOES OR REMOVEABLE BOOTIES
• KEEP YOUR FACE AWAY FROM THE CAP OR LID WHEN
  OPENING PESTICIDE CONTAINERS

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SAFETY FIRST

• APPLICATION SAFETY
• MIX SPRAYS OUTSIDE IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA
• AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES, MOUTH, AND NOSE
• NEVER EAT, DRINK, OR SMOKE WHILE HANDLING
  PESTICIDES
• IF YOU SPILL PESTICIDE ON YOUR CLOTHES, WASH
  CLOTHING BEFORE WEARING AGAIN
• IF YOU BECOME ILL WHILE USING OR FOLLOWING THE
  USE OF PESTICIDES, CALL A PHYSICIAN. READ THE
  DOCTOR THE INGREDIENTS ON THE LABEL

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SAFETY FIRST

• STORE PESTICIDES IN CLOSED, WELL-LABELED
  CONTAINERS
• STORE AWAY FROM PETS AND CHILDREN
• DO NOT STORE NEAR FOOD OR IN THE HOUSE
• STORE APPLICATION EQUIPMENT WITH THE PESTICIDES
• READ THE MSDS FOR THE PRODUCT

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CHOOSING INSECTICIDES

• FORMS
• SPRAYS
• WETTABLE POWDERS POWDER MIXED WITH A WETTING
  AGENT
• PETROLEUM MIXED WITH INSECTICIDE
• POWDER SUSPENDED IN WATER
• BAITS

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CHOOSING INSECTICIDES

• TYPES
• CONTACT
• SYSTEMIC
• FUMIGANT
• CONSUMED
• HOW TO CHOOSE THE MOST EFFECTIVE CHEMICAL TO USE?
• IDENTIFY THE PEST

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WHAT STRENGTH DO YOU USE?

• READ THE LABEL!
• USUALLY THE LABEL WILL GIVE PROPER STRENGTH FOR
  PARTICULAR PEST
• CAUTION WARNING DANGER
• INDICATION OF THE STRENGTH OF THE LETHAL DOSE (LD
  50)

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APPLICATION

• SPRAYERS
• HAND
• END OF HOSE
• FULLY DILUTED HAND PUMP
• WHEN MIXING POWDERS SOMETIME EASIER TO MIX THE
  POWDER WITH A LITTLE WATER FIRST BEFORE FULLY
  DILUTING

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APPLICATION

• ISOLATE THE PROBLEM
• SPRAY ONLY THE AFFECTED AREAS
• PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
• DO SCHEDULED SPRAYING FOR REOCCURRING PESTS AND
  PROBLEMS
• WHEN TO APPLY PRODUCTS
• READ THE LABEL
• IN GENERAL APPLY EARLY OR LATE IN THE DAY BUT
  NEVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY IN FULL SUN

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STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

• READ THE LABEL
• SPECIAL STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
• SAFE, EFFECTIVE, AND LEGAL USE
• NEVER SPLIT VOLUMES TO SMALLER UNLABELED
  CONTAINERS
• ALWAYS LABEL CONTAINERS WITH PURCHASE DATE
• KEEP AN UP TO DATE INVENTORY OF PESTICIDES

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STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

• STORAGE AREA TEMPERATURE
• ABOVE FREEZING
• BELOW 100 DEGREES
• KEEP AREA WELL VENTILATED
• KEEP PESTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES SEPARATE FROM
  HERBICIDES
• ALWAYS LABEL AREAS SPRAYED

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STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

• DISPOSE OF UNUSED PESTICIDES AS DIRECTED ON THE
  LABEL
• CONTACT HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE ROUNDUP FOR
  DISPOSAL OF UNUSED OR EXPIRED PESTICIDES
• ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS DIRECTIONS

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BENEFICIAL INSECTS

• PRAYING MANTIS
• GET IN EGG FORM
• VERY TERRITORIAL (COVER 500 SQFT)
• ONCE HATCHED THEY EAT EACH OTHER UNTIL A DOMINANT
  MANTIS IS LEFT IN THEIR TERRITORY
• NOT REALLY A GOOD CHOICE FOR USE IN THE ORCHID
  GARDEN

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BENEFICIAL INSECTS

• LADYBUGS
• EATS ADULTS, LARVAE, AND EGGS OF
• APHIDS, SCALE, MEALYBUGS, MITES, AND OTHER PESTS
• AREA WHERE LADYBUGS ARE RELEASED SHOULD BE MOIST
  AND COOL
• NEVER RELEASE BEFORE DUSK, WHEN THE SUN IS
  SHINING, OR IN HIGH WINDS OR THEY WILL JUST FLY
  AWAY

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BENEFICIAL INSECTS

• GREEN LACEWINGS
• ALL PURPOSE PREADITOR
• LARVAE EAT APHIDS, MEALYBUGS, MITES, WHITEFLY,
  THRIPS, AND THE EGGS OF THESE INSECTS
• RELEASE 3-4 TIMES 2-3 WEEKS APART
• USUALLY SOLD AS EGGS OR IN LARVAL FORM

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BENEFICIAL INSECTS

• WASPS
• DIFFERENT SPECIES FOR DIFFERENT PREADITORS
• ENCARSIA FORMOSA SPECIES CONTROLS WHITEFLYS
• USUALLY TAKES 2-3 APPLICATIONS
• TRICHOGRAMMA SPECIES CONTROLS CATAPILLARS
• WASP EGGS ARE LAID IN THE HOST CATERPILLAR EGGS
  WHERE THE WASP LARVAE EAT THE EGG THEN THE
  CATERPILLARS

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BENEFICIAL INSECTS

• SPIDERS
• KILL A LARGE RANGE OF INSECTS EVEN BENEFICIAL
  ONES
• IF THEY GET OUT OF CONTROL CAN CONTROL WITH
  ULTRA-FINE HORTICULTURAL OIL
• MOST GARDEN SPIDERS NON-POISONOUS TO HUMANS BUT
  HANDLE WITH CARE

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OTHER NATURAL PEST CONTROL

• LIZARDS
• MOST LIZARDS FOUND IN SOUTHERN CA ARE NOT
  POISONOUS TO HUMANS
• LOVE TO EAT INSECTS
• EAT ANTS GRASSHOPPERS, WORMS, MOTHS, CATAPILLARS,
  ROACHES, AND SOME EVEN LIKE SLUGS AND SNAILS

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OTHER NATURAL PEST CONTROL

• KILLER SNAILS
• DECOLLATE SNAILS
• EATS THE EGGS AND SMALL SNAILS AND SLUGS
• CAN BUY AT GARDEN SHOWS AND ON INTERNET
• RELEASE AT NIGHT ON ALREADY KILLED SNAILS OR
  SLUGS (FIRST MEAL)
• WILL LIVE AND FEAST IN GARDEN UNTIL FOOD IS GONE
  THEN WILL FIND MORE FOOD
• NOT THAT GOOD FOR ORCHID GARDENS

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LESS TOXIC (ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY) CONTROLS

• OIL SPRAYS
• SUNSPRAY AND ULTRA-FINE OILS
• KILL INSECTS BY SUFFOCATION
• KILLS INSECTS, LARVAE, AND EGGS
• CONTROLS APHIDS, MEALYBUGS, MITES, SCALE
• NEVER USE ON DRY STRESSED PLANTS
• ALWAYS WATER THE DAY BEFORE
• SPRAY IN COOL MORNING OR EVENING
• NEVER SPRAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY

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LESS TOXIC CONTROLS

• OIL SPRAYS (CONT.)
• DONT USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH SULFER PRODUCTS FOR
  FUNGAL CONTROL (SEVEN)
• DO NOT SPRAY ON BUDS OR FLOWERS
• ALWAYS TEST SPRAY ONE LEAF BEFORE SPRAYING MANY
  PLANTS
• COAT ALL LEAVES TOP AND BOTTOM
• FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS FOR MIXING AND
  STRENGTH

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LESS TOXIC CONTROLS

• PYRETHRIN
• POISON MADE FROM CHRYSANTHEMUMS
• AFFECTS THE INSECTS NERVOUS SYSTEM
• CONTROLS APHIDS, MEALYBUGS, WHITEFLY, MITES, AND
  MANY TYPES OF WORMS AND BEETLES
• SPRAY IN COOL MORNING OR EVENING AT TEMPERATURES
  BELOW 85 DEGREES

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LESS TOXIC CONTROLS

• NEEM OIL
• FROM THE SEED OF NEEM TREES
• ACTS AS GROWTH INHIBITOR STOPPING GROWTH CYCLE
• KILLS LARVAL AND PUPAL STAGES
• CONTROLS APHIDS, MEALYBUGS, WHITEFLY, THRIPS,
  SCALE, MOTHS, CATAPILLARS AND MANY MORE
• OIL IS VISCOUS (THICK) AND REQUIRES INDIRECT HEAT
  TO MIX
• DO NOT EXPOSE TO SUNLIGHT TO LIQUIFY
• USE WITH WARM WATER TO MIX

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PESTICIDES

• BROAD RANGE OF INSECTS CONTROLLED
• BAYER ALL PURPOSE, MALATHION, ORTHO PRODUCTS,
  ETC.
• PRE-MIXED OR CONCENTRATE
• APPLY TO PLANTS AFTER WATERING
• NEVER APPLY IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY
• DONT SPRAY FLOWERS BUT COAT ENTIRE PLANT
• ONLY MIX WHAT YOU WILL USE
• DO NOT STORE IN SPRAYERS

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VIRUSES

• CAUSE A WIDE RANGE OF AFFECTS IN DIFFERENT
  SPECIES
• CAN BE SPREAD BY TRANSMISSION OF PLANT JUICES
• INSECTS
• SLUGS AND SNAILS
• SLOPPY SANITATION DURING REPOTTING
• OVERCROWDING (PLANTS IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER)

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VIRUSES

• CAUSE DEFORMED GROWTH AND FLOWER FORM
• MAY CAUSE COLOR BREAK
• ALWAYS STERILIZE REPOTTING AND FLOWER CUTTING
  EQUIPMENT
• WEAR GLOVES AND CHANGE THEM OFTEN
• MAY USE TEST KITS TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PLANT IS
  INFECTED

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SOME USEFUL REFERENCES

• Orchid Pests and Diseases
• American Orchid Society
• California Department of Food and Agriculture
• Diagnostic Division
• 1220 N Street
• Sacramento, CA 95814
• The Organic Gardners Handbook of Natural Insect
  and Disease Control
• Published by Rodale Garden Books
• Household Hazardous Waste Roundup
• Orange County
• [phone]
• L.A County
• [phone]

• The Garden Show
• 4/29 and 4/30/2006 at South Coast Plaza
• Orange County Farm Supply
• 1826 W Chapman Ave
• Orange, CA 92868-2695 
• [phone]
• Don and Leah Cotton
• Buglogical Control Systems Inc
• http//www.buglogical.com/
• University of Colorado
• http//www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/pubins.ht
  ml
• Decollate Snails
• www.goodsnails.com

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DOUG CONKIN FOR HIS USEFUL
  TALKS ABOUT BENEFICIAL INSECTS AND NATURAL
  PESTICIDES
• THANK YOU TO ROBERTA FOX FOR HELPING OBTAIN AND
  PREPARE THE PHOTOS

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