Millipedes? - Orchid Board

tulasi132 · #1 02-15-2009, 04:05 AM

I was re-potting my dendrobium the other day, I had a problem with dead roots and shriveling canes, and I came across a millipede. Very small, little more than a centimeter long and light brown or tan. In my own stupor I didnt think that it might be damaging my plant.

and I let it stay in the pot. Obviously this was its home! So I came to my senses about a day later and decided to google millipedes to see what they eat before pulling out the freshly potted plant to hunt down the invader. Well I find that mostly they eat already dead and decaying matter. I wanted to check with you all to se if this info rings true. Has anyone had experience with them? Are they actually beneficial? Has anyone had a real problem with them? Im fine providing a little home if they wont harm mush beyond perhaps speeding the decay of my medium, thus having to repot more often. Any thoughts?

mojomick · #2 02-15-2009, 08:46 AM

Funny you should ask about them. Just the other day I found one and took it to my Master Gardener class. We were have a talk by a entomologist. I took the critter in a plastic bag and she said to leave them be as they eat the dead matter and are not harmful to plants. So as far as I can tell I have to go by the expert. That doesn't mean that I don't shudder when I see one. I'm always afraid it's something bad. Betty

(..._...) · #3 02-15-2009, 10:07 AM

I have them in most of my pots lol. They have been there for years and nothing seems to have been eaten.

nenella · #4 02-15-2009, 12:20 PM

Millipedes are 'cool' they don't harm anyone or anything!

let_it_grow · #5 02-16-2009, 08:01 PM

I wondered about that myself, I usually only see them when I soak my plants and they scurry to the top of the medium to get away from the water. I always left them cause I didn't think they were bad. Good to know they eat the dead roots so they won't fester. I wonder if I should put one in my s/h pots too. Any thoughts?

(..._...) · #6 02-16-2009, 08:30 PM

I havent noticed any change in the dead roots of my plants... I think they are so small that they dont each much lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by let_it_grow

I wondered about that myself, I usually only see them when I soak my plants and they scurry to the top of the medium to get away from the water. I always left them cause I didn't think they were bad. Good to know they eat the dead roots so they won't fester. I wonder if I should put one in my s/h pots too. Any thoughts?