With onset of cold and wet autumn and winter there is a need for easy and effective control of slugs and snails. These pests love to munch on the tips of emerging shoots and really favor young flower buds. All orchids growers looking for an effective means of controlling them, and Stanhopea growers are no exception – its painful waiting for beautiful flowers to emerge once a year and then to lose it overnight to a hungry snail!
Whether your stanhopea’s growing outside, under the shade of the trees or in a greenhouse due to the weather restrictions – at times we all need to exercise snail and slug control. We all tried commercial pellets and all agree that they less than satisfactory for long term use – with frequent watering of stanhopea plants pellets become moldy and unsightly, dangerous to house pets and wildlife. We all also tried beer, eggshells, lime, wood shavings, sawdust, etc – great for the dry plants, completely unsuitable for stanhopea’s and other orchids that need frequent waterings.
Sprinkle grinded mustard seeds into your orchid compost when you planting and replanting your orchids, on the top of the orchid soil to control slugs and snails, top up any time when its rainy weather and enjoy seeing your beautiful stanhopea plants and flowers in its majestic glory.
