Webbing in media - Orchid Board

malteseproverb · #1 02-26-2018, 03:46 PM

This can't be good, can it?

Found this webbing in the media of my phrags that I recently inherited and immediately repotted. One was in bad condition but the other was fine, and they both have this webbing. I doubt it's from a spider.

estación seca · #2 02-26-2018, 03:50 PM

It's fungal mycelium growing on rotting organic matter. It won't attack the plant, but it indicates the medium is old.

malteseproverb · #3 02-26-2018, 04:02 PM

But I just repotted with brand new orchiata and LECA! I did leave a bit of moss on top of one of them (the one pictured), but not the other. I cleaned the other one very thoroughly of its old media. Very weird. Either way, if it doesn't hurt the plants, I'm satisfied.

I also want to mention that I didn't find this in either of their pots when I unpotted them initially.

Ray · #4 02-27-2018, 12:17 AM

Orchiata is naturally populated with both penicillium and trichoderma - both beneficial to the plant.

malteseproverb · #5 02-27-2018, 01:05 AM

I'm so relieved to hear this is actually beneficial! Wow to think I thought it was the end of them. These are my first phrags and I'm very excited to have them. Thanks for the info!

estación seca · #6 02-27-2018, 02:43 PM

You won't see fungi that can harm your orchids. They grow inside the plant.