Strange things in bag of bark - Orchid Board

(..._...) · #1 02-21-2009, 11:45 AM

Hi

This sounds strange, but I went into my shed to get orchid bark for a phal that needs re-potting. I have two opened bags of the same product, and BOTH bags have what looks like grains of rice and dried split peas.

. Those were not in there when I last used it last fall. Has anyone had this happen to them? Are they some type of egg or larvae? There are not mixed in with it, but in small pockets... its kindof disturbing.

I guess I will just use the small bark that I have...

Thanks lol

Cam

Paul · #2 02-21-2009, 12:54 PM

Sounds like you had some fungi/mushrooms -- not uncommon if the bark was damp for a long period of time.

(..._...) · #3 02-21-2009, 01:12 PM

hmm it could be. But I dont think the bark would have gotten overly damp, and they are actually look like dry rice grains and dried pea halves. Unless thats what happens when they dry up... anyways, its strange

Cam

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Sounds like you had some fungi/mushrooms -- not uncommon if the bark was damp for a long period of time.

cirillonb · #4 02-21-2009, 01:19 PM

i would suggest ant or termite egg cases but You usually see the critters there as well. Also could be droppings from a mammal (read mouse, mole)
Nick

JackiBlu · #5 02-21-2009, 02:03 PM

Hmmmm... if they are pea sized, sounds like lizzard eggs to me.

ronaldhanko · #6 02-21-2009, 02:08 PM

Cook some and see if their edible!!

Phrogz3 · #7 02-21-2009, 02:19 PM

I wouldn't suspect lizards in Quebec,

a tad bit chilly for them.

I am thinking a rodent such as a squirrel or chipmunk that has found a nice place to pack away a winter feast.

Phrogz3

Lagoon · #8 02-21-2009, 03:47 PM

LOL! Guess you have some new pets, Cam

The grains of rice sound like pine scale.

(..._...) · #9 02-21-2009, 04:07 PM

Lol.. I guess its a mystery

I looked up pine scale, but that appears to be ON something. These are loose, and it looks as if someone put short- grain rice in my bags, and the other looks like dried lentils lol.

I actually saw it in an old soil back last year as well. hmm and I dont think it could be rodents, otherwise I would have found a mess of the area where all my bags of different orchid barks were... anyways. its strange

Thanks for the input

Cam

quiltingwacko · #10 02-21-2009, 04:30 PM

Perhaps it is eggs of some sort, or fungi. If it is eggs, they will hatch and then something will be crawling around......yikes! Good thing it is in the shed.