Worm in bark mix with phalaenopsis, good or bad? - Orchid Board

orchidkilla · #1 02-22-2011, 05:26 PM

I found a small red worm, similar to an earthworm in my bark mix with my phal. I'm sure the worm was alive because I touched the worm and it retreated. I know some of my other house plants have worms. I'm just not sure if worms and orchids get along nicely. Is there a type of worm I should look out for?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 02-22-2011, 07:12 PM

If it's an earthworm, it's harmless.

If it's a millipede, the small ones are generally harmless. Millipedes are herbivores and/or detritivores.

Just the fact that you have an earthworm or a millipede may mean that the bark is starting to break down badly. You may want to repot very soon.

While you do that, you might want to do a quick check on the roots to see if there's any significant amount of damage to them.

orchidkilla · #3 02-22-2011, 08:02 PM

I'm going to the local hardware store to pick up some bark mix. Should I look for any ingredients in particular? I know one bag had fir bark, peat moss, and perlite.

Second, the orchid is still in bloom and its almost spring, maybe I should wait since the bottom roots look healthy. I was thinking of repotting the orchid in Spring anyways.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 02-22-2011, 09:36 PM

No peat moss.

The other ingredients in the mix are fine.

If you're gonna get a mix with peat moss in it, you might as well leave the orchid in what it's in now. And you already know that's no good.

Medium to large grade bark is fine.

orchidkilla · #5 02-22-2011, 11:48 PM

Hmm, having trouble finding a suitable mix. Bought a 4$ bag of miracle grow orchid potting and mix. Doesn't state what the ingredients are but it should hold me over till I find a good mix. Apparently the tri-state area isn't very big on orchids.

I thought the bag smelled a little like must, I'm a guy so I don't have the best sense of smell, would the orchid be better in the musty mix or no mix at all?

silken · #6 02-23-2011, 12:02 AM

If its musty smelling it may be damp and already starting to break down. I forget which brand, but one of those pre-mixed bags is a really fine mix and is not good for Phals or anything needing an open, free draining potting media. If it is quite fine I wouldn't use it. Can you get just bark about 1/2 inch to 1 inch in size? Or a mix of bark, charcoal and perlite (sponge rock)-something like that. the roots need to get some air as well as water and anything too fine will get too soggy and you will have root rot.

BobInBonita · #7 02-23-2011, 01:03 AM

Miracle Grow is not a good mix for most orchids. Way too heavy and dense. It already has fertilizer in it also, so it is "strong" when fresh and gradually diminishes over 6 months or so. Home Depot and Lowes both sell the Better Grow "Special Orchid Mix" which is generally a pretty good mix in my opinion.

RosieC · #8 02-23-2011, 08:54 AM

I've heard only bad things about Miracle Grow orchid mix for Phals. Also a musty smell is bad, the stuff I used when I was a newbe had that and even in a couple of weeks it set back one of my phals, another left in it longer almost died. For a long while I thought my repotting was at fault, till I found a good mix and used exact same repotting technique with no problems. I now advise against using store bought mixes because they don't store it right and often (as with Miracle Grow) it's not the right stuff for orchids like phals anyway.

I will bow to Bob's experience with Better Grow "Special Orchid Mix" that might be an exception to my 'rule of thumb'. I've not tried that one (not sure we get it in the UK).

My advice would be to get one from an orchid nursary/specialist. www.repotme.com is meant to be good lots of folks on OB seem to use it (my stockest is in the UK so no good to you).

orchidkilla · #9 02-24-2011, 05:15 AM

Interesting, I'm thinking of buying an orchid mix from the repot me site. Would you recommend the imperial AAA, imperial, or basic? I'm going to a flower show tomorrow so I might just buy some orchid mix there.

I have access to free pine wood chips, would wood chips made from pine trees make a good medium for orchids?

silken · #10 02-24-2011, 10:35 AM

any medium fir bark would be an appropriate size. If you see some at the orchid show, it would be easiest and quickest to get it there so long as it isn't the kind you get in box stores. Make sure you can see what you are getting. If the pine bark is from someone cutting trees locally, you may also be getting any insects or bacteria that is present. You could use them if you boil them first.