Bugs in phalaenopsis saucer!

[sapfo]

Hello everyone! I have had two phalaenopsis orchids for over a year now and about a month and a half ago I finally saw some action! New roots, new leaves and even a flower spike on one of them. I quickly repotted them to give them more space as they were struggling in their original small pots. A day after watering them for the first time in their new pot and soil I saw a bunch of tiny white larvae looking bugs floating on the surface of one of the saucers! Now the leaves of this plant are turning yellow and look like they are slowly dying! Help!

[WhiteRabbit]

Might be fungus gnat larvae ... tho I can't say for sure ...

Did you repot into actual soil, or did you use orchid potting mix?

[sapfo]

Thank you for your reply, Sonya. I used bark mix for orchids... I have been looking online but I can't find anything to help. I can't see any insects crawling, flying or hiding under the leaves. They are just in the draining water...

[WhiteRabbit]

Make sure you don't leave water in the saucer.

[sapfo]

thank you!

[bil]

A useful idea is to take the saucer that fits the pot, and put another plastic saucer upside down in it. (you need to get the size right so it fits snugly. Then put the pot on that. If you overwater, the water runs down and acts as a humidifying agent without keeping the bottom of the pot wet.