pests, something eating Phal. roots

[camillenad]

I have a large glass vase arrangement with about 10 white phal. plants inside. the mediums a mixture of bark and moss. for the past few months i have noticed that there is something eating the roots and forming holes in some of the leaves. all these orchids are in spike with very small buds. I thought they might have a snail infestation but i tried bear, and nothing. it seems that whatever it is is biting the roots, especially newly growing ones, so now i have no new roots. I'm scared to take them out of the pot and repot them see whats really inside the potting medium, but i am too scared to do that as they are all close to blooming with newly formed spikes. Any suggestions? I don't want whatever pest it is to kill my orchids. Thanks

[silken]

Whatever is eating the roots will likely do more to kill your plant than you having a look at the roots. Phals don't mind being re-potted while in spike or bloom like many orchids do. Anytime I get a new Phal I immediately re-pot it as there is usually too much wet moss for the roots to survive until it's done blooming. If the Phals have small buds, it will be a long time before it is done blooming so I think you should deal with it now. The other think you could first try is immersing the pot in water in the sink and see if something comes out (bugs) Then you will know what you are dealing with and can go from there. It rather sounds like slugs to me.

[Merlyn]

Could be those teeny tiny snails that are VERY hard to see. Your most common root eaters are in the snail/slug family.

[keithrs]

I recommend soaking the pot all the way to the top in water. If something is in the mix it will come out most of the time. I have had good luck with sluggo plus.....

[camillenad]

Thats what i thought, slugs/snails. So whats the best thing to do? is there some home made remedy for them? ( other than bear, that did not work). Here's a pic of the newest root on one of the plants.

[camillenad]

beer**

[Merlyn]

Home Depot or Lowes has snail bait. Never needed to use it but I know people who do and they say it works. Just don't let your KIDS or pets eat it !!!

[silken]

You could try Bud's recipe that has cinnamon extract and soap and a few other things. Yo Bud, we need your recipe! He has mentioned it in some posts that he reply's in.

[camillenad]

Thanks! ill ask Bud to share