Black mold - Orchid Board

alannanoelle · #1 09-14-2008, 08:07 PM

Is it bad? I just bought a beautiful new phal...it's about 3' tall! I noticed that several of the leaves have some black mold on the bottom. I cleaned it off, but I'm not sure if this is a serious issue or not. What should I do to get rid of it/prevent it?

Thanks!

priz_m · #2 09-15-2008, 03:00 PM

Hi Alana, welcome to the OB!

I had a phal potted in sphag that had "black fuzzy bump" under the leaves. I wiped with an antiseptic wipe (found in my first aid kit) and never saw them again.

If it's new, you should double check the condition of the media that its potted in.

Do you happen to have any pics?

alannanoelle · #3 09-15-2008, 03:03 PM

I tried to get a close up photo of the mold, but it just turned out blurry. :P I'll see if I can get a better one. I got rid of most of it though.

My other orchids are potted in bark, but this new one is potted in some sort of moss, and the moss is very damp. I assume the florist must have just watered it before I purchased it. I'll keep an eye on it to see how long it takes to dry out.

alannanoelle · #4 09-15-2008, 03:09 PM

Here is a very blurry photo of some of the mold (there was quite a bit more before...all along the edge of the leaf) and a photo of the moss.

jkhom · #5 09-15-2008, 03:12 PM

I'm not an expert, but I would think that there may still be mold spores in the wet moss. I would transplant into new media. That way you are sure of the media and you can examine the condition of the roots as well.

priz_m · #6 09-15-2008, 03:35 PM

I agree with jkhom, it seems like the similar scenario I once was with my phal, I would repot in something that will let the roots breathe a bit. I have my phals in a mix of LECA and fir bark with a layer of loose sphag on top.

For tips on repotting you can visit

Easy Orchids - Re Potting A Phalaenopsis

Hope this helps!

alannanoelle · #7 09-15-2008, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely try repotting it. Do you think I should give it a couple of days to sit in it's new environment before I repot it so I won't traumatize it, or does it matter?

priz_m · #8 09-15-2008, 04:05 PM

Alanna, I have to strongly advise against that. It is never a good idea lo leave an orchid sitting in water, you'd be surprised how quickly root rot develops (I would know). If you have the supplies I would repot immediately. Phals are very forgiving when repotting while in bloom, so if that's your case, don't sweat it as much, but be careful not to damage any flowers.

Best of luck!

PS - Almost forgot, try to get a clear plastic pot instead of the green one it is in already, it makes it easier to check on the root system every now and then, and try to get a pot that is the same size it already has (or a smaller one if you cut off too many roots), phals like to be a bit potbound, but not too much

philoserenus · #9 09-15-2008, 04:25 PM

well that green stuff technically ain't mold... it's just the moss coming back to life... so technically nothing harmful at all. if you are repotting b/c its green, i would say it's unnecessary; however, if itz a root prob. definitely repot.

RosieC · #10 09-15-2008, 05:15 PM

If you think it was mold, I would try rincing the plant with something like Listerine (a bit like priz_m said about antiseptic whipes) and also re-pot.

Mold spores can get everywhere and be hidden... if you don't clean everything they start coming back again. I made that mistake recently and it was only when I cleaned the plant, pot, bag (being used to help an already sick plant) and got new medium that I managed to get rid of it... I think, no sign in the last few days anyway.