Unknown little insect in new orchids... - Orchid Board

musicloveranthony · #1 10-26-2009, 07:08 AM

I recently purchased 4 plants from ebay (won't be doing that again, unless I know the vendor). One is a really large Paph Prime Child (10+ growths), another is a 4 growth Paph Oberhausen's Diamant. They're both plants I'd been really looking forward to. Imagine my horror at finding they had pests. The Prime Child has at least got orchid snails, if not more.

My question is about what I've found in the Oberhausen's Diamant. I repotted the plant into a clear pot and while watering, I noticed several tiny, extremely fast moving little bugs. They are really tiny, about the size of this slur ~

I left the plant alone to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. When I came back I couldn't see them, until I moved a lower leaf. Out scurried two of the bugs. They really do move FAST. I have no idea at all what they are. They are either silver, or a silvery white. I know they're not fungus gnats, or spider mites, or slugs, or scale insects. I tried doing an immersion in a soap/oil bath, but it didn't kill them.

Again, these are plants I was really looking forward to, but I can't risk the health of my other orchids...I'm at a loss.

Any help would be much appreciated

Undergrounder · #2 10-26-2009, 07:14 AM

Possibly springtails. If they 'jump' or virtually disappear when you disturb them and they're -really- small, then yeah springtails.

They eat decomposing matter, algae and funguses but they don't hurt the orchids.

But their presence indicates a rotting medium, and damp conditions. So if you see them in good numbers, probably time for a repot.

musicloveranthony · #3 10-26-2009, 07:20 AM

I appreciate the response. That's another that I forgot to mention i know they aren't

nor thrips. Area mealy bugs able to move fast??

orchidsamore · #4 10-26-2009, 08:11 AM

Mealy bugs are white and fluffy and barely move at all, so I would eliminate mealy bugs.

I agree that it is the medium rotting and it needs a re-pot.

Cleaning the plant of all medium and starting new should allow you to get rid of them.

I avoid poisons but systemic insecticides work well. Water soluble orthene is a commonly used one. A stronger poison is beta-cyflyutrin, which you can find as Bayer Ant Killer at Ace Hardware. It is safe on orchids at the package recommended dosages.

musicloveranthony · #5 10-26-2009, 08:19 AM

I didn't think mealy bugs was terribly realistic...I'm not sure what they are. I did repot both of the plants in fresh, new medium, but the bugs must have been hiding inside the leaf folds. They came right along with the plant into the new pots.

Unfortunately, I have neither the time, nor the space to deal with a pest problem. I am hoping the vendor will allow me to return them for a refund. It's tricky with ebay...It's really too bad. They're great primary crosses and certainly not fresh out of the flask. I wish I had the space and time to get rid of the pests.

johnblagg · #6 10-26-2009, 08:29 AM

I use premixed liquid seven I bought at HD in a spray bottle.spray it on the medium in my catts and then water it in a bit.

camille1585 · #7 10-26-2009, 10:47 AM

Springtails are not a problem for orchids so why get a refund? No need to treat either, except maybe spray a water/dishsoap mix. I had some of those at one point in a few pots, and letting the mix go dry for longer periods during a few weeks seemed to have taken care of the problem. They didn't like the dryish conditions, and moved out. Then I resumed normal watering again.

musicloveranthony · #8 10-26-2009, 11:02 AM

No, it's not springtails, though

I'm not really sure what they are. I'm trying to capture one to get a photo. Plus, there's the snails :-/

Doc G · #9 10-26-2009, 11:04 PM

The insects may not be what is considered a typical orchid pest. Possibly just an opportunistic bug that found a comfortable home.
As for the snails. Pick them off. You can put an apple slice or two on the media at night and check underneath each morning. Diatomaceous earth can be used as a preventative. Snails and slugs don't like crawling across it. There are also copper strips sold at garden centers that they don't care for that you can use to rim your pots. Although, right now, that would keep them in, not out.

I believe you are close to the home of orchidweb.com. I think they are near the airport. You could try calling and see if one of their people would meet you in the parking lot to i.d. your bugs. And there is always the local cooperative extension.

Tommyr · #10 10-27-2009, 02:32 PM

They may also be soil mites, like Springtails not too harmful but annoying. Same treatment. Try Bayer Rose and flower spray. It's systemic.