Macodes petola with brown bugs in sphagnum moss

[MMEPaprika]

Hello! A few months back I received a macodes petola that was potted in sphagnum moss and bark. I kept it in the same pot up until yesterday, as I had noticed a lack of growth recently. I don't know if this is because of winter season, too much/little sun (as its currently sitting on my windowsill), low humidity or the bugs.

Either way I decided to repot it, when taking out the orchid I realized it had not rooted and only had a few (shallow) roots, one of which was covered in some dark brown gunk I rubbed off under running water. When I took out the moss I saw small, dark brown, oval-shaped bugs the size of a pinhead running to hide, they were fast!! I only saw 3-4 but there could have been more.

Panicking, I disposed of the previous potting medium and replanted the orchid in 50% regular orchid mix and 50% regular houseplant soil.

My question is; will the bugs come back or did I successfully rid myself of them? Can the orchid stay in this medium? It's one of my favourites despite the lack of growth and I'd really like to see it thrive

Sorry for any mistakes or lack of information, this is my first post on the forum! Thank you in advance!

(added an attachment of what it looks like as of repotting)

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

You did well to get it out of that old sphagnum! You may have difficulty keeping it moist enough in the bark. Mine has done well in sphagnum (I have had it for about 2 years), I have also grown other jewel orchids (like Ludisia discolor) in well-drained high-organic potting soil (like African violet mix) Since these are terrestrials, I wonder how well it will do in the bark mix (thought the bugs may also depart) You could watch it carefully... if you see new root growth it will be fine, if you don't see it in a month or so, consider just using fresh clean sphagnum.

[MMEPaprika]

Originally Posted by Roberta

First, Welcome!

You did well to get it out of that old sphagnum! You may have difficulty keeping it moist enough in the bark. Mine has done well in sphagnum (I have had it for about 2 years), I have also grown other jewel orchids (like Ludisia discolor) in well-drained high-organic potting soil (like African violet mix) Since these are terrestrials, I wonder how well it will do in the bark mix (thought the bugs may also depart) You could watch it carefully... if you see new root growth it will be fine, if you don't see it in a month or so, consider just using fresh clean sphagnum.

What a relief! Do you think the bugs are gone or should I keep an eye out for a potential resurgence?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by MMEPaprika

What a relief! Do you think the bugs are gone or should I keep an eye out for a potential resurgence?

Insects have been on the planet longer than we have, and will be here long after we're gone... There's no guarantee that they are gone for good, but at the very least you have greatly reduced their population. Watch for them (and other insults) but don't panic. After the plant has been in its "new home" for a couple of weeks, you could dunk the whole pot in water... if bugs are there, they'll come out gasping for air. If nothing comes crawling out, a very good sign.

[aliceinwl]

They sound like springtails. If that’s what they are, they’re harmless. I had them colonize a few a my Paphiopedilum pots with sphagnum and I just leave them be.