Mold growing on top of media

[PuiPuiMolcar]

Couple weeks ago I left snail baits on top of my orchid pots to prevent snail as I was on vacation but it seems like it was a mistake as those snail bits started to mold up as the temperature drop. Will this hurt my orchids in anyway? The media itself is not moldy, but I'm afraid of the mold covering up the entire pot...

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Small white mold is relatively frequent and relatively harmless. It shouldn't really happen on the media unless it has started to decompose, which would be a sign to repot in the upcoming season. However, you will see it on decomposing dead roots, bamboo skewers, etc.

Of course, get rid of the pellets.

There are biological ways to keep these unwelcome guests at bay. Some people use springtails (which are beneficial bugs) and there are products such as Quantum Total that help establish beneficial bacteria to outcompete pathogens.

Other growers are also quite liberal to apply Physan 20 on the plant and the medium once a month so nothing gets to develop there. But that includes beneficial bacteria that down the road would help your orchid become more vigorous and established.

[Roberta]

Snail bait does tend to turn into a gummy mess when it gets wet. Just scrape it off, won't hurt the orchid at all. And the medium is likely fine... the gummy white wet snail bait just looks ugly.