Orchids are resilient and can live in even the harshest climates. Despite this toughness, orchids are vulnerable to many different diseases and parasitic infestations. You can notice these problems whether you are an orchid lover or a novice gardener who wants to try their hand at growing orchids. There are several signs of pest infestations and diseases that you should be looking out for if you want to keep your orchids alive.

Warning Signs To Watch For In Your Orchid Plant

One way to tell if your orchids are having a problem is to closely examine the leaves and blossoms of the plant. For starters, any orchid that has blooms that dont live very long may be having problems. Orchid blooms should last for several weeks as long as the plant is healthy. Remember that your orchid type may bloom a few times during the year so get familiar with your orchid kind so you know what is and is not normal.

Remember to look at the petals, too. If the orchids petals are discolored or seem to have dark flecks or holes, then there may be a reason to be concerned.

Look for damage or discoloration on the leaves of your orchid. Most healthy orchid leaves have a glossy green to them. If your plants do not then it could be some sort of problem. However, be sure to eliminate the environmental causes such as too much sunlight or temperatures that are not optimal for it before you immediately suspect illnesses.

Possible Pests That Can Damage Your Orchids

There are all kinds of pests that can damage your orchid plants including aphids, fungus gnats, white flies, etc. Heres a brief look at some of the pests mentioned.

Aphids Orchids are most in danger of dying from the aphid insect. They kill the plant by sucking out the nutrients then leave behind waste products that make it vulnerable to mold. When you really look at it, its a double whammy for your orchids.

Fungus Gnats These insects will breed in the soil of your plants pot especially if it has a lot of moisture. Fungus gnats are similar to root rot. As you may know, root rot is a big challenge to take care of in your plants.

White flies White flies are pretty with their tiny yellow colored heads with pale wings that holds some resemblance to a tiny flower. However, looks can be deceiving. These parasitic insects are usually found in clusters on the underneath of petals or leaves. White flies are known to attack most, if not all, vegetation and spread viral diseases. This insect type is a nuisance for not only farmers but also horticulturalists.

Other Plant Destructive Insects

Other insects that can damage your orchids include the mealy bugs, scale insects and spider mites. Mealy bugs and scale insects will attack the orchids leaves, which can make them turn to a yellowish color. Spider mites, on the other hand, present themselves as bright-colored flecks.

Types of Treatments For Your Orchids

Many people use pesticides to get rid of the diseases or pests that are inflicting damage to their orchids. This has proven quite effective. This method of getting rid of damage causing problems has brought up two issues.

For starters, there is an increase of resistance in many of the organisms that attack the orchids, especially when exposed to them on a continuous basis. Second, pesticides are very un-environmentally friendly, which tends to turn people off from using the toxic chemicals. This is especially true in homes where small children are.

If youre looking to be eco-friendly and keep your orchids healthy, then wash all of the plants parts completely, drying them well with care after you are done. Results are often seen after several times of doing this method so dont become glum if you dont see immediate results. You should also repot your plant in fresh soil/matter so you can get rid of fungal problems.

Since the majority of insects seem fascinated by the color yellow, place the colored tacky paper up close to the plant so it may trap the insects, keeping them from reproducing and spreading their damage. You can also wipe down your plants affected areas with neem oil.

Remove the plant that is infected away from other plant life so that it does not cause the disease to spread. While you can do a lot, you have to remember to be patient and give your orchid the care it needs to survive and return back to the splendor it once was.

Getting older has its own disadvantages. With age, health issues creep in and begin to affect the day-to-day routine of the elderly. It is observed that the organs of the body work efficiently till the age of 60. However, as the age progresses further, bodily functions slowly decline, and visits to the doctor become inevitable.

Health Concerns in the Elderly

Elderly people are susceptible to a wide range of health problems. In older people, the numerous biological processes work below their optimum level. So, following are the elderly health issues observed after the age of 65.

Vision Problems
With age, one may notice decline in eye function. Aging can bring undesirable changes in the eyesight. Vision problems is one of the most common elderly health issues that require urgent medical treatment to prevent further deterioration of the eye. Minor eyesight problems are often corrected by wearing spectacles. Read more on eye problems. The most common age related eye disorder is given below:

Cataracts: Also referred as clouded vision, cataracts affects the lens of the eye, thus leading to impaired vision. Cataracts is a condition in which the part of eye lens gets covered with a white film, making the lens opaque. As we all know, the lens of the eye is a transparent elastic structure that allows light to enter through it. This lights falls on the retina, that is exactly behind the lens. The light signal thus received by the retina, helps to produce clear images, which is interpreted as vision. However, as the lens becomes opaque due to formation of white film, the passage of light is obstructed, making it difficult for the person to view things clearly.

Cataracts is a progressive condition that eventually affects the entire lens. Disturbances in vision are noticed when the eye lens affects significant area of the lens. Blurred vision and sensitivity to light are some of the most common symptoms of cataracts. Fortunately cataracts can be safely cured using a surgery.

Hearing Loss
As a person ages, his ability to hear and discriminate sound diminishes. It is naturally for elderly people to be upset and anxious, as it interferes with normal communication. ‘Hard of hearing’ or partial deafness are the common complaints among the elderly. However, with the advancement in science and technology, a wide range of hearing aids are available today, to treat age related hearing loss effectively. Programmable hearing aids are the latest devices that can make understanding people easier. Keep in mind, that this is one of the health problems for seniors and elderly, that has to be addressed early to avoid complete hearing loss. Read more on hearing loss.

Osteoporosis
With increase in age, a significant decrease in bone mass or density is observed. Loss in bone density that makes the bones brittle and weak is referred as osteoporosis. It is rightly said that elderly have a higher chance of developing bone fractures. A minor fall or even coughing can put elderly in the risk zone of bone fractures. Although more common in women over 65, men too can develop osteoporosis at an early age due to inadequate calcium intake.

Osteoarthritis
Wear and tear of joints with age, often manifests in the form of osteoarthritis. As we all know a joint is a place where two bones meet. In other words, the joint is a connecting point between two bones. The ends of the bones are covered with a tissue, known as cartilage. This covering of the end points of the bones prevent friction, that may occur during joint movement. However, over time the cartilage wear away. As the layer of cartilage depletes, the bones rub against each other, causing inflammation and pain in the joints. Joint problems such as morning stiffness in the elderly are warning signs of osteoarthritis. In this condition, the joints are less flexible and cause pain during normal movement. Read more on joint pain.

One can always slow down the progression of these elderly health issues, by leading a healthy lifestyle. Habits like smoking can lead to early manifestation of cataracts. Calcium deficiency in the diet can make a person prone to bone diseases. So, following a healthy diet and an exercise program can prolong and even prevent the occurrence of these elderly health issues.

Remember, an actor like Clint Eastwood who is more than 75 years old, even today, directs movies. Sounds incredible, isn’t it? Even at this age, he has ventured into film direction, which is not an easy task. He has been successful in keeping elderly health issues at bay, thanks to his healthy lifestyle, his overall health is in good shape.

Reiki is a very ancient form of healing which originated in Tibet and was re-discovered and further developed by a Japanese monk named Dr. Mikao Usui. It is a natural hands-on method of energy balancing for the purpose of stress reduction and relaxation.

Reiki therapy can be used for many conditions and situations. It is especially useful in helping infertility because it is safe and gentle. It helps you reach a deep state of relaxation where you become receptive to receiving healing, thus allowing physiological and emotional changes to take place within your body.

There is a variety of health benefits associated with
Reiki treatments. Some of these benefits include:

reduced levels of stress
increased
energy levels
improved immune system health
reduced muscle pain
reduced levels of anxiety and depression
improved methods of detoxification
Because
Reiki healing works to improve your overall physical and mental health, it can in turn improve your chances of
getting pregnant by promoting overall reproductive health by minimizing conditions and illnesses that can contribute to infertility. Reiki therapy
can help to maintain good reproductive health that is beneficial for both men and women. Also, because stress is often linked to fertility problems, Reiki therapy can be beneficial in cases in which stress is contributing to problems
getting pregnant.

In addition to promoting good preconception health,
Reiki treatments can also help promote good prenatal health. A recent study found that
Reiki healing sessions reduced stress during pregnancy by 94% while nausea and morning sickness were reduced by 80% after
Reiki treatment sessions. In addition, the study found that quality of sleep is improved by 86% when
Reiki treatment is conducted during pregnancy.

Reiki healing can also help to minimize labor pains as well as to provide relief to muscles and reduce other discomforts linked to the birthing process.

To learn more about the benefits of Reiki please visit

To book a Reiki session with Dr. Jessica Caruso please call 603-434-3456 or email .

Discount packages for Reiki treatments are available upon request.

References:

When people age, their needs for nutrition change. It is important for elderly to eat healthy foods that are full of nutrients. Some medications, as well as illness, can affect the appetite of older people. To maintain health and independence longer, elderly people should make sure that when they do eat, that the food is good for them and will help maintain health. Healthy food choices can be made at home, in restaurants, and at the grocery store.

The types of foods that should be included in an elderly persons diet should include foods that promote the following:

Circulation (soy products, fruits, seeds)
Strong bones (cheese, milk, salmon, legumes, beet greens)
Resistance to illness (apples, citrus, broccoli)
Mental alertness (high protein foods, complete carbohydrates, omega-3 fats)

Foods that are high in antioxidants are also recommended for elderly people.

Healthy food choices for elderly in restaurants may include eating low fat meats, salads, vegetables, and grilled foods. For the elderly that has trouble maintaining weight, fresh whole grain breads can be chosen at restaurants. Going to restaurants that serve fresh, healthy, and homemade dishes will

Italian food is made with tomatoes, which are high in antioxidants. Cooked tomatoes, like what is found Italian tomato sauce for pasta contains the antioxidant, Lycopene, which gives tomatoes their deep red color. Tomatoes are also high in vitamin C.

Cheese is high in calcium, which helps build strong bones. Lasagna and other Italian dishes with cheese are good choices for elderly because they are at risk for fractures and broken bones.

Many studies have proved that for some, a glass of wine with a meal is very healthy, especially red wines.

When mental alertness in the elderly seems to be diminishing, before concluding that they need additional care or are suffering from Alzheimers, check the persons diet. The diet may cause low blood sugar. Drops in blood sugar can cause mental confusion. Changes in hormones for women can also cause mental confusion. When healthy food choices are being made and there still seems to be diminished mental alertness, ask the pharmacist about the medications being prescribed and if they may be the cause. If yes, make an appointment with the doctor to discuss alternatives and any new medications that might be available.

Going to a relaxing restaurant that offers healthy food choices, like Mama Jennies in Miami, Florida, can keep healthy eating from becoming boring.