Cockroaches are some of the most annoying pests with which you will have to contend in growing orchids. They can do amazing damage in a few nights if not intercepted and killed.
Why are cockroaches such a big problem? The answer is that one of their favorite sources of food is a potted plant's tender young roots and flower stems. It is not unknown for the roots of a plant to be entirely chewed off in one night by these pests.
How to fight cockroaches effectively is one big topic. People have been fighting with them in their homes and kitchens for centuries, and we will probably be fighting them for centuries to come. They have evolved to be incredibly successful in living amongst us and in resisting extermination.
A tremendous variety of poisons have been marketed in an attempt to control roaches. If you go the route of putting out poison, you must of course only use the ones that will not do damage to your plants. Check out the garden supply section of your local hardware store.
Many people swear by boric acid. They take boric acid, stir in some sugar and flour, and mix it all up with water to make a paste. The paste must be spread in every possible crevice or corner you can find. Take your time and don't skip any likely location. To be completely safe, though, don't allow any of this paste on your plants themselves.
You can also put out some of those "roach hotels." These will trap many roaches and stop a few at least from getting to your plants in the first place.
To be honest, the only way to control roaches is keep a constant lookout for them. You should especially search for them on and around your plants in the evening, using a flashlight. They leave their hiding places in the evening to seek food and it is then that they are most easily caught and killed. Don't forget to move your pots and baskets around to uncover ones that may have run into hiding from you.
A decent guide to orchid growing will have many more tips and suggestions for making sure that pests such as roaches don't put an end to your plants. The most complete guide to today's orchid growing, it is widely acknowedged, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded online. Mr. Howard's guide is a thorough course of study, helpful for novices as well as more experienced growers alike. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing database of information on all topics of orchid cultivation.
