6 Spray for Orchids: The Options to Help You Out Efficiently

Spray for orchids are ones that would have many options can become overwhelming, but we are sure you will find what you want in this article. Well-kept orchids is bound to attract insects, pests, and diseases of all kinds, as the sprays get rid of them and improve the plant’s overall health.

If you have been asking about the best systemic insecticide for orchids, then continue reading this article to know more.

List of Various Types of Spray for Orchids

1. Neem Oil

Benefits	Naturally occurring Adds shine to the leaves
Uses	Pesticides It can be used on its own
Distinguishing Characteristics	Found in seeds Pungent odor
Care	Read the label for the oil-to-water ratio Keep away from humidity

This is one of the most commonly used natural bug spray for orchids. The oil is a naturally occurring pesticide found in the seeds of the neem trees, and it is yellow to brown in its color, has a strong garlic-like smell, and has a bitter taste. Because of its effectiveness, gardeners have used it for many years to control various pests and diseases.

It is composed of many compounds, Azadirachtin being the most active. The compound acts as a repellent, thereby reducing insect feeding. It disrupts the ability of pests and insects to lay eggs by interfering with their hormones.

The component is used widely in over a hundred pesticide products. These products are applied to various plants, including orchids, to control insects, and they can be formulated into granules, wettable powders, and emulsifiable concentrates. Whichever form of oil you decide to spray on your orchids, always follow the instructions mentioned on the product’s label.

The oil spray is easy to prepare; if you wish to make it, you only need cold-pressed oil, liquid soap, a spray bottle, and a gallon of water. Mix liquid soap with a gallon of warm water and add two tablespoons of the oil to the mixture. Transfer it to a bottle and spray it on a small section of your orchid leaves and make sure that you wait for twenty-four hours to see how the plant reacts.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Benefits	Encourages new root growth Aerates the soil
Uses	Treats root rot Starts seeds Pest-repellent
Distinguishing Characteristics	Colorless at room temperature Bitter taste
Care	Keep away from moisture and heat Do not let it near acids

It is environment-friendly and an effective alternative to insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, and chemical fertilizers. Using it in diluted form and handling it with care is always recommended. It helps orchids combat pests, diseases, and insects, strengthens the roots, and aerates the soil.

If you wish to make it, you should begin by mixing one cup of three percent hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water and transfer it to a spraying bottle. In addition, always do a patch test to ensure it does not burn leaves or affect the root system.

If the plant adjusts to the new change, soak it entirely with the mixture, covering the lower sides of the leaves, the top layer of soil, and the area surrounding the pot. You do not need to spray it regularly, but once a week or when you see bugs invading your orchids is sufficient.

However, the mixture does not kill eggs, so you must apply it weekly to eliminate all the bugs. You can store the bottle for later use but always remember to label it. To use weekly, you must first mix one teaspoon of three percent hydrogen peroxide in one cup of water in a spraying bottle.

Remember that you should also spray the infested plant thoroughly, leaving no part behind, and ensure that you would store the bottle away from direct sunlight after using it. This is because hydrogen peroxide also helps aerate the soil, reducing the chances of root rot.

The released oxygen is a way of ensuring healthy and strong roots. Mix one pint of three percent hydrogen peroxide with one gallon of water. Spray the created mixture on mature plants once a week, spraying the area around the roots deeply.

3. Rubbing Alcohol

Benefits	Controls weed growth Enhances plant growth
Uses	Herbicide Disinfectant
Distinguishing Characteristics	Less toxic Evaporates quickly
Care	Please do not mix it with bleach Do not use near-open flame

It is also known as Isopropyl alcohol and removes mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, thrips, slugs, whiteflies, etc., from your orchids. It melts their protective wax coating, drying out their bodies and leading ultimately to death. It does not affect the eggs and the larvae, so you must spray it whenever you see new predators, and it is very safe to use if it comes on your skin.

Now, you would also wonder, can you spray alcohol on orchids? Yes, you can, but only apply a five percent solution, as it can lead to consequences, such as stunted growth. Applying a concentrated solution of more than or equal to twenty-five percent is like a death sentence for the orchids.

For effective results, mix one part of the alcohol with eight parts of water and continue with a patch test. If the leaves seem unharmed by the spray, spray them evenly, leave the solution for about fifteen to twenty minutes, and then rinse it off.

On the other hand, you should be very careful because the spray can also burn the leaves, so avoid spraying them and leaving them in direct sunlight. Misting helps reach the areas which are otherwise hard to get, such as the crown and the roots, but be careful not to go overboard with it. Alcohol is extremely volatile, meaning it evaporates quickly, even though you may try to substitute it with a baby shampoo or a mild soap.

4. Insecticidal Soap

Benefits	Kills insects by suffocation Removes debris from the plant
Uses	Targets soft-bodied insects Effective plant cleaner
Distinguishing Characteristics	Environment-friendly Contact killer
Care	Do not apply in full sun Apply when the temperature is less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit

It is the most common orchid spray and is often a base for other sprays. Gardeners have been using it for countless years as an orchid insect spray. It is made of potassium salts and controls pest and insect infestations on orchids, and the soap spray shows immediate results for mealybugs and aphids. However, it is not harmful to plants, making it the best orchid insecticide.

The spray soaks into the cuticles of the insects or pests, which leads to cell collapse. In simple words, it dries their bodies. It also tackles scale insects by suffocating them. The soapy spray is effective against five common orchid pests: whiteflies, earwigs, spider mites, fleas, and thrips.

Soap sprays are readily available in the market, but they are so easy to make that you can easily make them at home. Even though some gardeners would mix detergents with soaps, dishwashing detergents differ from soaps and should not be used in sprays.

To make your spray, you should start by making the mildest soap solution, mix one teaspoon in one gallon of water and use it immediately. Soak every part of the leaves with the spray and spray directly on the visible insects or pests for effective results.

You can also add oil to the spray to increase its shelf-life. Mix one cup of cooking oil with one tablespoon of soap, and when you want to use the mixture, mix one to two and a half teaspoons with one cup of water.

5. Diatomaceous Earth

Benefits	Organic pest control Improves plant growth
Uses	Mechanical pesticide Potted and greenhouse plants
Distinguishing Characteristics	Very absorbent Natural compound
Care	Keep away from high-dust areas Do not spray during the early morning or late evening

The product comes in fine powder form, and this is an organic product that you can use if you don’t wish to spray any chemical compounds. It may appear harmless to humans but is deadly for insects and pests as it contains jagged edges. It works by cutting up the pests, causing them to dry and eventually die, as the compound absorbs all the lipids from its outer layer, which dehydrates them.

Add four tablespoons of a diatomaceous earth spray to a jug filled with one gallon of water. Cover the jug with its lid and shake until it is fully dissolved; now you can transfer the solution to a bottle and spray your orchids. Mist the leaves until they are wet but not dripping. The solution dries after a while, leaving behind a thin white coating.

6. Diluted Fertilizer

Benefits	Quick results Readily available
Uses	Maintains plant nutrients A small amount is enough
Distinguishing Characteristics	Contaminant-free Dissolves quickly
Care	Do not over-fertilize Store in a cool place

The best sprays for orchids are not only restricted to insecticidal sprays; food sprays are equally necessary. The easiest and quickest way to feed and grow orchids is by misting them with diluted fertilizer.

The process is also called foliar feeding and is recommended by many Phalaenopsis orchid owners for orchid care. It is sprayed on the lower sides of the leaves for noticeable results. This type of spray is fast when dissolving, and it wouldn’t pollute or intoxicate the plant; on the flip side, it will only target the plant’s needs.

Preparing the spray with a liquid-soluble orchid fertilizer, water, and a misting bottle would be best. Make the fertilizer according to the product’s instructions. Dilute the fertilizer more by adding in water till the strength of the spray becomes twenty-five percent.

Now, how to use orchid plant food mist? Lightly mist the leaves and the roots of your orchid, and pay close attention to the underside of the leaves as the plant will absorb the fertilizer from there. Refrain from over-misting, as it can cause salt build-up on the leaves.

Conclusion

Whether spraying them with insecticides or pesticides or feeding them through a spray, always remember the following points from the article above:

• If you are looking for a naturally occurring pesticide for your orchid, look no further than Neem tree oil.
• Insecticidal soap contains no harmful chemicals if you prefer a less-harsh insecticide.
• Orchids are a staple in every household, and it is equally important to look after their well-being.
• Isopropyl alcohol can be replaced with mild products like baby shampoo.
• Hydrogen peroxide removes insects and pests and benefits the plant’s overall health.
• Orchids respond faster when you feed them through sprays than when you fertilize with granules.

After discovering these sprays, which would you like to spray on your orchids?