I am not so good with pests either...but I did read in another forum where they suggest using Bayer 3 in 1 insect disease and mite control. Either that or change the media altogether of the affected plant, since sometimes there are just too many eggs already.
Tony, you certainly have more orchids in your collection than I do. I only have a few, since it is just too hard to keep the humidity up in our dry area here. I do not use any special lighting on my orchids either, just the south facing window during winter for those plants I do bring indoors. What I do make sure, especially when it is winter time and the orchids are indoors, is to run our ceiling fans after I do my watering, just for about 5 to 10 minutes, and the plants seems to like it that way. But definitely interval in watering is bigger, like once every 1.5 weeks. And I know the orchids are okay even longer without water as long as the temps are cool. Have left them one time for 3 weeks, and all is still well. It is really more critical I think during our warm and hot days especially when it is starting to hit the mid to high 90's. The plants are just getting too stressed with the dismal humidity. When it is time to bring them out, they are in my growcamp beside a fountain, so that is their additional source of humidity, as little as they can get from the cross breeze that comes through. Then watering resumes with more frequency, like twice a week, since the plants are finally ready to give it a go and enjoy the warm conditions again. During intensely hot days, I may have to do it a little more often, sometimes even twice a day.
Oncidium alliance orchids are notorious in getting spots on their leaves and getting very wrinkly pbs and leaves. That's why these ones gets more watering attention from me. Real water hogs, hard to drown. I am not successful with cattleyas..I think Ken has more experience with them.
I have no problems using ceramic, clay, wood or fabric containers..what is important, these containers must have drainage, and media is appropriate to the type of orchid I am using it for. Chunkier media for Phals; smaller bits for Onc and Zygos. Smaller containers with chunky media for Dens. I have been experimenting with hygrolon, clay rocks and lava rock with my Phals, and so far they are doing well with it. Just got to give Phals more aeration at the root zone. Watering habits got to be adjusted as seasons change.
