Keiki on mini phal

[Pati/orchid newbie]

I bought a mini phal (actually 2 plants in one pot) on clearance for $2. One had a shoot coming off a spike that was forming new buds. The other had a spike that all the flowers had fallen off so I trimmed back to the first node. I thought a shoot was growing from the node, but it turns out to be a keiki! I have had this plant for a month and a half and unfortunately have found a few mealy bugs on it. I have removed them with alcohol swabs and treated with Listerine. I'm so excited about the blooms and especially the keiki (it already has 2 roots forming), but have heard that mealy bugs can be very difficult to treat. Any advise on keeping this plant(s), how long to keep the keiki attached......I really want to keep this plant! Thanks for any input....I have the orchid bug, but want to get rid of the mealy bug!

[RosieC]

Mealy bugs can be difficult. I managed to get rid of them with alcohol swabs, but you have to check it every day and remove any sign of them you see. You need about two weeks of not finding any before you know you are clear.

As for the keiki, when it has about 4" of root, either short pieces adding up to 4" or a single one 4" long then it should be OK to remove.

[Pati/orchid newbie]

Thank you for your input. In checking everyday, what exactly do I want to look for (and get rid of) to know that I have eliminated the pest? I fear over-doing with the alcohol/Listerine will damage the plant and I don't want to risk spreading to other plants.

[RosieC]

Using Rubbing Alcohol (isopropol alchol) should be fine as it's not absorbed into the plant. Other sorts can be absorbed and cause problems.

Mealies are white fluffy, so you are looking for any bugs, some can be tiny so you have to look carefully, but also any of the white fluff traces. I found by removing both of those things I managed to get rid of them.

[Pati/orchid newbie]

Thanks so much Rosie. I am examining every day and might be getting paranoid about removing every spec! Do you also spray with Listerine? I'm thinking about ordering some "worm tea". It's supposed to be a natural and effective insecticide/fertilizer/fungicide. I would love to save this plant(s). The keiki is growing fast. When it's done flowering I will take it out of the moss and repot in a clear pot with bark mixture. Could bugs be in the roots too?
I see you're from the UK....my daughter and sister just returned from a trip to London....they were there for the royal birth! Thanks again for your help! At some point I will attempt to post pics.

[RosieC]

I don't spray listerine, though I have used it to wash plants while repotting. I haven't bothered more recently though.