Is this springtail???

[alopez1021]

Hi guys!

So I've had my Phalaenopsis since February. I was having some issues with some roots a few months ago and blooms started to drop so I repotted on May 28th--I use the Phalenopsis Monterey Dark Imperial Orchid mix from rePotme (mixture of bark, sphagnum moss, sponge rock, and hydroton) I also started using a fertilizer from rePotme as well. Since then I've noticed new growth in some of the aerial roots, as well as the leaf in the center! Today I noticed there's a tiny new leaf growing inside of that one!
Right now i'm watering it every couple weeks or so, and today was watering day. After I watered I noticed a few tiny white bugs crawling around the bark that I've never noticed before. I, of course frantically start researching to see what they are.. They move quickly, white/sliverish, and as I was staring at my orchid trying to get a picture of one, one jumped out of the pot onto my counter. I tried to get good pictures of it, and show what my orchid roots look like. Upon my research I THINK they might be springtails?? Apparently they're harmless and I shouldn't worry about them? I wanted to get a confirmation from someone who may be more experienced. Are these springtails?? Thank you for any responses in advance!

[Steve83]

Yes, those are springtails. They are good to have.

You could probably up the watering shedule, given that the pot has holes for increased airflow. The plant looks good.

[alopez1021]

Originally Posted by Steve83

Yes, those are springtails. They are good to have.

You could probably up the watering shedule, given that the pot has holes for increased airflow. The plant looks good.

Okay great, thank you! Good point, Thank you for the watering advice!

[Shadeflower]

my instinct was to reduce watering a bit. It looks rather wet already and some of your roots look like they have cracks in terrible places (right near the stem) - if these roots go, the orchid will lose a big proprtion of its roots.
Springtails love wetness. Orchids need to dry out periodically.
Look at the color of your roots to judge how to water.
Now your roots are a lush dark green color indicating they are fully loaded with water.
Once they dry a bit they will become more white and then turning a silvery color but they won't all change at the same time, it will be a gradual change indicating the hydration left in the roots, generally roots at the bottom stay wettest longest.

So look at the color of the roots and let the roots dry so that just the bottom roots stay hydrated before watering again. Judge how much the plant drinks in a week to judge how much you need to water.

Springtails suggests they are being kept slightly too wet but also that the springtails have rotting material to feed on. Both are dangerous situations for your orchid.

Orchids can dry till you start notice wrinkling on roots even, for a new orchid that might have an infection in the root zone it is best to err on the dry side rather than wet side. IF roots are left to wrinkle for too long then leaves start going wrinkly next and then the orchid will start to suffer but they are more resilient than you'd think and it is very easy to overwater on orchid to start with. When they are stressed they drink less and do grow slower so give them time to settle in, adjust and don't rush them by watering them more.

[alopez1021]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

my instinct was to reduce watering a bit. It looks rather wet already and some of your roots look like they have cracks in terrible places (right near the stem) - if these roots go, the orchid will lose a big proprtion of its roots.
Springtails love wetness. Orchids need to dry out periodically.
Look at the color of your roots to judge how to water.
Now your roots are a lush dark green color indicating they are fully loaded with water.
Once they dry a bit they will become more white and then turning a silvery color but they won't all change at the same time, it will be a gradual change indicating the hydration left in the roots, generally roots at the bottom stay wettest longest.

So look at the color of the roots and let the roots dry so that just the bottom roots stay hydrated before watering again. Judge how much the plant drinks in a week to judge how much you need to water.

Springtails suggests they are being kept slightly too wet but also that the springtails have rotting material to feed on. Both are dangerous situations for your orchid.

Orchids can dry till you start notice wrinkling on roots even, for a new orchid that might have an infection in the root zone it is best to err on the dry side rather than wet side. IF roots are left to wrinkle for too long then leaves start going wrinkly next and then the orchid will start to suffer but they are more resilient than you'd think and it is very easy to overwater on orchid to start with. When they are stressed they drink less and do grow slower so give them time to settle in, adjust and don't rush them by watering them more.

It looked wet because I watered yesterday and took the pictures right after watering. I have noticed the cracks within the Velamen but I'm unsure on how to prevent or treat this? I had the same issues with some top roots before I repotted that I had to cut away because they were rotting. I have watered this orchid a few other times but this was the first time I spotted the springtails--like you mentioned it could be there's decaying matter inside the pot that they're feeding on. Before I water I check the roots and I only water when they're white/sliverish color, they look dry right before watering.

Maybe I'm giving it too much water when I water it? I usually just pour water through it with fertilizer (I follow the instructions on the fertilizer, which is 3-1. water with fertilizer 3 waterings and 1 without to flush out the fertilizer)

Since I've been getting new growth with some top roots and with the leafs--the leaf has been growing pretty quickly and now has a small leaf coming out as well-- I thought it was happy but I know some of the aerial roots don't look too happy. Do you know what I can do to help improve the velamen from cracking open and what could be causing this?

[Shadeflower]

hey alopez,
from my limited experience I think you are doing fine. You have given it good substrate. These springtails will have come from somewhere. My bet is from the flower shop the orchid came from.
Like your research has indicated springtails are no harm to your orchid. They are extremely simple creatures and dryness kills them. So don't worry about them for now but in a few months time ideally they should go away and the best way is to keep the pot a little drier but never let the roots dry completely. With orchids you just have to find the right rhythm, once they have dried you water and repeat the process. Don't wait too long that they get stressed but don't water too early that the springtails keep having lots of water.
Same for the cracks, they happened, most likely at the flower shop and the wetter they are kept the faster they will decay. You can't keep them completely dry because the plant needs moisture but just let the cracks dry well and keep them dry so they last as long as possible. In time the orchid will grow new roots, adapt to the new media, the springtails will run out of food and things will turn around.
The main criteria is not to overwater, don't let it dry excessively give it the care a phal needs, light, the right temps and a bit of fertilizer and the plant will usually grow by itself

[alopez1021]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

hey alopez,
from my limited experience I think you are doing fine. You have given it good substrate. These springtails will have come from somewhere. My bet is from the flower shop the orchid came from.
Like your research has indicated springtails are no harm to your orchid. They are extremely simple creatures and dryness kills them. So don't worry about them for now but in a few months time ideally they should go away and the best way is to keep the pot a little drier but never let the roots dry completely. With orchids you just have to find the right rhythm, once they have dried you water and repeat the process. Don't wait too long that they get stressed but don't water too early that the springtails keep having lots of water.
Same for the cracks, they happened, most likely at the flower shop and the wetter they are kept the faster they will decay. You can't keep them completely dry because the plant needs moisture but just let the cracks dry well and keep them dry so they last as long as possible. In time the orchid will grow new roots, adapt to the new media, the springtails will run out of food and things will turn around.
The main criteria is not to overwater, don't let it dry excessively give it the care a phal needs, light, the right temps and a bit of fertilizer and the plant will usually grow by itself

Okay, that's a good point! I know some people like to mist their orchids so I was trying to mist the aerial roots every now and then, because I thought they weren't getting enough moisture and that's why the cracks are happening. You make a good point that if they're kept wet, they're going to decay faster. Thank you for all your tips!!

[isurus79]

Springtails aren't a problem. I find my media has quite a few of them when I repot. Your plant is nicely hydrated (not too much, not too little) and the roots look good, so I wouldn't change your watering at all. Looks good!

[alopez1021]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Springtails aren't a problem. I find my media has quite a few of them when I repot. Your plant is nicely hydrated (not too much, not too little) and the roots look good, so I wouldn't change your watering at all. Looks good!

That makes me feel much better, thank you so much!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by alopez1021

That makes me feel much better, thank you so much!

No problem! Will you join the Houston society? They can certainly help with your cultural questions!