Tiny bugs? help, my first orchid..

[Melanie]

how do I do that? like i said, this is my first orchid.. i've done research but it's not like it's all inclusive or even relevant. i've considered it a success making it this far!

[priz_m]

Originally Posted by Melanie

Today when watering my Dendrobium I noticed tiny little bugs scurrying about the roots, although they didn't seem disturbed by the water. I don't see them anywhere else on the plant, although there does seem to be some kind of cluster of white fungus, which could very well be egg sacs of some kind.

I've done a little research and it seems they might be mealybugs, but I thought I'd ask a forum! Please help, this is my first orchid and I've watched 5 buds bloom- i'm in love with this plant!

Also- how did they get there? I've had it for about a month, it's my only plant and it's indoors. If I could learn prevent this in the future that would be great as well.

OH I believe you ! I just found them on my Dend hybrid today, I watered and fed today, my dend is growing 2 new canes, I am thrilled, but I noticed something crawling rather quick up one of the canes, I think I squished it anywho, there was another tiny ( REALLY tiny) white almost microscopic roach like insect running along the rim of the pot and quickly into the media, they are not bothered by the water indeed and are sooooo tiny and quick there’s no way my modest camera can take a picture, it can’t focus, but they are not mealy bugs.

BTW my dend was a Lowe’s rescue, repotted about a month ago in a new bark mix and is indoors, I have no idea what they are and I would love to know how to get rid of them

Thank you in advance you guys!!!!!!

[Melanie]

OK guys, I used a fungicide/pesticide that said it was orchid safe and bought orchid potting mix. i nuked the suckers a few days ago and haven't seen any sign of them since. So, just to make sure I really got them, how long should I wait to repot it (i also bought a new pot out of superstition)? this has all taken a toll on my bloom closest to the leaves, i believe it's on its way to falling off

[Rothie]

It's hard to say.If the bug is an egg layer,you may need to treat several times till you get them all.This is one of those times when you really have to be patient,and follow the directions on your fungicide/pesticide for retreatment.
Then again,it might be best to repot and continue the treatment in the new pot to get any further hatchers.When you repot,rinse the roots well (preferably in RO water)to remove any old potting medium.Seal up the old medium,spay it,and dispose of it-don't let it fall on the ground.
I'm sure others will have more information.

[Melanie]

what is RO water.. running? sorry if that's a silly question thank you for your help!

does anyone have any repotting tips? Like, should I clip any bad roots or whatever?

i really need a dummies guide to orchids i'll be repotting it once the 7 days the fungicide recommended are up.

[Rothie]

Melanie-I'm an orchid novice,but from reading other threads,I would suggest you trim off any rotting roots and sprinkle them with cinnamon before repotting.R/O=Reverse Osmosis.People recommend clean rain water or R/O water as opposed to city water or well water.You can buy it at the grocery store,I believe.
Do a search on repotting and you'll get lots of threads on how its done.

[sammich]

Originally Posted by Melanie

Today when watering my Dendrobium I noticed tiny little bugs scurrying about the roots, although they didn't seem disturbed by the water. I don't see them anywhere else on the plant, although there does seem to be some kind of cluster of white fungus, which could very well be egg sacs of some kind.

I've done a little research and it seems they might be mealybugs, but I thought I'd ask a forum! Please help, this is my first orchid and I've watched 5 buds bloom- i'm in love with this plant!

Also- how did they get there? I've had it for about a month, it's my only plant and it's indoors. If I could learn prevent this in the future that would be great as well.

I think I have the same problem! I'm a total newbie that bought 2 barerooted dendrobiums. I've had them for about 2-3 weeks (if that) and I potted them up with a brand new bag of commercial orchid medium. The pots were new and clean, I don't have any other plants in the apartment, and I even inspected the plant roots for bugs before potting. This morning, when I was watering I saw a bunch of SUPER tiny little bugs scurrying around too! I haven't seen any eggs sacs or white fungus like Melanie did - just a lot of tiny brown scurrying creatures. They look like mini ants to me, but they're very difficult to see, very fast and live in the medium. Is there a particular spray someone can recommend? Bugs seriously freak me out, so any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!