white mold on roots and moss of 2 mini Phalaenopsis and a Neofinetia

[ShandraB]

I am relatively new to orchid growing and I am not sure what to do with my plants. I have a Neofinetia Falcata and 2 mini Phals that have developed mold on them. I got the phals last October for my birthday. They came from a grocery store. When I re potted them after they were done blooming I noticed white fuzz on some of the roots and thought nothing of it. Then a couple months later I found mold on the moss they are potted in as well as my neo. So I re potted them thinking that would solve the problem. It didn't . The white fuzz on the roots came back so I tried a ground cinnamon spray and that seemed to work. Although it dried out the roots. Now I just watered my orchids in the middle of the week and today I looked at them and There is mold on the moss again. Also the roots on my Neo are not doing well. One died and the others stopped growing. And the Phal's leaves are getting wrinkled and yellowing. One plant lost a leaf. On another note, i recently did my research on Phals and realized they generally don't like moss. But mine are in moss and one of them is about to bloom again from a new spike. The other has put out new roots that are growing like crazy.

So here are my questions

What is the white fuzz on the roots?
How can I get rid of the mold?
Why are my Phal leaves getting wrinkled and yellowing then dying?
Should I re pot the Phals into a bark mixture or keep them in moss?


The orchids are on a shelf near an eastern facing glass door. Also under a 60 Watt compact florescent light. I water about once weekly by soaking them for about a minute then leave them to drain for about half an hour before I put them back in the clay pots. I don't water again until they are dry.

So basically I am wondering what I am doing wrong and what can I do to fix it. Any feed back would be great. Thanks.

[Bud]

although your plants are not affected at the moment, I understand your concern....It can elevate into fungi or bacteria infestation ....do not use cinnamon powder for it will dessicate the roots....use cinnamon extract with soap instead (1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract and 10 drops of dish soap+ 2 cups tepid water) ....if it still persists: spray with physan20.

[ShandraB]

Originally Posted by Bud

although your plants are not affected at the moment, I understand your concern....It can elevate into fungi or bacteria infestation ....do not use cinnamon powder for it will dessicate the roots....use cinnamon extract with soap instead (1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract and 10 drops of dish soap+ 2 cups tepid water) ....if it still persists: spray with physan20.

Should I use that as a spray or soak the plants? Also, do you have any ideas why the leaves are dying on the phals? And why the root died on the Neo? Is the white fuzz on the roots mold? Sorry for the billion questions. Lol. Thanks.

[WhiteRabbit]

You can also soak with hydrogen peroxide 3%.

Your Phal may be dropping leaves due to root problems. When you say your plants are dry before watering - how are you judging that? Sphag will be dry on top and still quite moist or even wet further down and in the center.

High humidity with lack of air circulation can also lead to mold/ fungus.

[ShandraB]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

You can also soak with hydrogen peroxide 3%.

Your Phal may be dropping leaves due to root problems. When you say your plants are dry before watering - how are you judging that? Sphag will be dry on top and still quite moist or even wet further down and in the center.

High humidity with lack of air circulation can also lead to mold/ fungus.

The Neo is potted with a cavity in it so generally I just feel the inside of that one and when it is dry water. And I check the bottom of the Phals and when they are dry to touch I water then. I normally water them all together. Is there a better way to determine when to water?

---------- Post added at 05:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:20 PM ----------

Also, Should the Phals be repotted into a bark mixture or left in the moss?

[WhiteRabbit]

I use bamboo kabob skewers to determine when to water. Search "skewer" and "skewer method" on the board,. You can also Google "skewer method" "skewer method orchids".

A freshly sharpened pencil also works. Gently twist the pencil about halfway down into the media (as near to midway between center and edge of pot as you can, closer to center is best. Let it sit there a few minutes, then remove. The newly exposed wood will darken from any moisture that may be in the media.

I like to put a small overturned net pot in the center bottom of pots, or tuck some styrofoam into the root mass to help media dry more evenly, and it creates a nice air pocket for roots.

If you find the sphag is staying too wet, or roots have rotted, potting into a bark mix may be helpful.

[ShandraB]

Okay great. Thanks for the tips.

[Bud]

Sonia has given you very sound advice....adding to it: your environment must have cold and damp....what is your room temperature? the damp might contribute to the molds....its going to be warmer now; put it near an open window where it can have warm summer air ....air circulation will kill those molds.

[MattWoelfsen]

Your Neo looks a little bit too low into the moss. Traditionally, Neos are potted at the top of a mound of sphagnum moss. The crown of the Neo--where plant and roots begin--should be right above the sphagnum. Your Neo and Phals would enjoy plenty of fresh air, as advised earlier, mold loves stagnant air, especially stagnant and wet air. Here is a picture of my most recent Neo acquisition, notice how the plant is potted?

[ShandraB]

Originally Posted by Bud

Sonia has given you very sound advice....adding to it: your environment must have cold and damp....what is your room temperature? the damp might contribute to the molds....its going to be warmer now; put it near an open window where it can have warm summer air ....air circulation will kill those molds.

I'm not sure of the exact room temperature but I have electric heat so the winter was warm and dry. I have the plants a foot away from a sliding door that is open all the time now that it is warm out. We did just have a week or 2 of rainy weather. Would that contribute to the damp enough to effect the orchids? Also before that it was really humid. I thought orchids generally like humidity though? How I would improve the air circulation from there?

---------- Post added at 07:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 AM ----------

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Your Neo looks a little bit too low into the moss. Traditionally, Neos are potted at the top of a mound of sphagnum moss. The crown of the Neo--where plant and roots begin--should be right above the sphagnum. Your Neo and Phals would enjoy plenty of fresh air, as advised earlier, mold loves stagnant air, especially stagnant and wet air. Here is a picture of my most recent Neo acquisition, notice how the plant is potted?

Attachment 83133

I noticed it was low too. And yours looks great. I originally had mine potted exactly like that but when I was re potting last time it got rushed so it didn't turn out so great. Would it being potted low effect the general well being of the plant though?