Mites (not spider mites)...?! - Orchid Board

flowerpower · #1 11-07-2017, 12:27 PM

Has anyone ever observed very small mites on their orchids or orchid media?

I seem to have these in my growing area and they are not interested in the foliage. They tend to live on dead or dying roots or dead tissue near the rhizome like a sheath etc. Sometimes if a root has algae on it they will be there too. The orchids appear to have sustained no damage and grow normally.

They are tiny, white and when magnified are definitely a mite. They are definitely not a spring tail, they are far smaller. You would actually think it was dust or mineral build up unless you looked more closely and see it move.

I do my best to remove dead tissue or decaying parts from my orchids but I have learned - the hard way - not to be too hasty to start repotting. Just wondering if it's natural/normal or if I need to take some action. Miticides are not really available in the UK.

Leafmite · #2 11-07-2017, 01:08 PM

Here is a nice article that I hope will help. I have seen these before in some of my pots. I try to keep leaves cleaned up to avoid them.

How To Get Rid Of Soil Mites In 4 Steps - A Green Hand

Leisurely · #3 11-09-2017, 10:45 PM

Sounds like you might have springtails. If so, they are harmless to your plants. They are usually found in moist areas and they feed on decaying material.

estación seca · #4 11-10-2017, 12:31 AM

I don't treat for anything unless I'm sure it's harmful. Are you sure these mites harm your plants? If not, why bring poison into your house? (I make the same argument about television and cable.)

samgeo · #5 11-11-2017, 11:03 AM

This is my Angraecum calceolus in bud. Took 2 years. Hard to photograph - the buds are so tiny. When looking at the pics I took, I noticed the leaves look bad. They're sticky too. Any idea what I'm dealing with?

samgeo · #6 11-11-2017, 11:11 AM

Sorry!! Posted this in the wrong spot!

rbarata · #7 11-11-2017, 11:33 AM

Quote:

If not, why bring poison into your house? (I make the same argument about television and cable.)

estación seca · #8 11-11-2017, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samgeo

This is my Angraecum calceolus in bud. Took 2 years. Hard to photograph - the buds are so tiny. When looking at the pics I took, I noticed the leaves look bad. They're sticky too. Any idea what I'm dealing with?

Spider mite damage, severe infestation. As soon as possible, spray the entire plant (upper and lower leaf surfaces, all stem surfaces, surface of medium) with either 70% alcohol, or 5ml of liquid dish detergent in a liter of water. Isopropyl alcohol is sold in drug stores in the US; I don't know about Canada.

Attacked areas of the leaves may die, leaving translucent spots that dry brown. You may be able to save some flower buds. Your other plants also have the mites, even if they aren't showing damage, so you need to treat them as well.

Read about spider mites here on Orchid Board for more information. But start spraying now.

Leisurely · #9 11-12-2017, 03:51 PM

I certainly don't want to confuse the issue here but the word sticky throws up a red flag for me. I always associate sticky with mealy bugs and that is because they secrete a sticky residue that ants love and have been known to farm aphids and mealy bugs for this food. In addition, I see something that appears white on the leaves that looks like the remains of the cocoon that mealy bugs make.

Some varieties of mites are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye but can be more visible under a hand lens.
I recently had an experience with mites that resulted in a good learning exercise. I have an exotic succulent, Avonia quinaria, that is highly prized by collectors and a plant that I have had for a long time. I noticed the development of a pale color that is not usual so I got a hairspray bottle (because it makes a nice fog) and added 70% alcohol and misted it. In the bright light of the morning sun in the greenhouse, I could instantly see that the plant was covered with webbing, previously not visible until I sprayed it. I gave the plant a generous spraying, enough to break through the webbing and knock it off. The plant is starting to look healthy again.

If you do spray your plant with alcohol, you should look for the webbing. If it is mites, they can remain dormant for long periods so keep an eye on your other plants. In any event, mites or mealy bugs, the alcohol should kill both of them but don't forget to follow up in a couple of weeks.

Manu · #10 11-24-2017, 10:46 AM

There are predatory mites that are beneficial.

Research hypoaspis miles, this might be what you have if they are in the first 2 3 cm of the pot and not interested in your leaves. They might roam on your leaves sometimes looking for prays or just being lost.

I personally have these in large amounts, I purchased a plant once that had them and they strive in my growing area as I have springtails which they love. They spread to my entire collection. Hypoaspis miles normally feeds on fungus gnats, spider mites, springtails and debris when nothing else is available. The males are super tiny and redish. If you look at the media with a flashlight at night you would see the females running around and small glowy (under light) red males that don't move much.

They are beneficial and would prevent infestations from other bad things. However, identification is key. I wouldn't want you to let a population of something bad takeover based on my comment. I peronnaly captured a few of my mites and bring them to the Montreal Botanical Garden a while back, they offer a service of identification and positively ID them as hypoaspis miles. Maybe check if that's an option in your area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowerpower

Has anyone ever observed very small mites on their orchids or orchid media?

I seem to have these in my growing area and they are not interested in the foliage. They tend to live on dead or dying roots or dead tissue near the rhizome like a sheath etc. Sometimes if a root has algae on it they will be there too. The orchids appear to have sustained no damage and grow normally.

They are tiny, white and when magnified are definitely a mite. They are definitely not a spring tail, they are far smaller. You would actually think it was dust or mineral build up unless you looked more closely and see it move.

I do my best to remove dead tissue or decaying parts from my orchids but I have learned - the hard way - not to be too hasty to start repotting. Just wondering if it's natural/normal or if I need to take some action. Miticides are not really available in the UK.