What in the !@%$@#!

[ColoradoBirddog]

Ok, thought I might repot a phal, then noticed the roots looked pretty good. I was about to replace some of the medium, when I noticed something odd. I thought I saw mold...then I dig further, and find something that looks like fiberous mold, with small yellowish spores????? What the hell is this? I am going to soak it in consan, and repot. I don't know what it is, but I sure as hell don't want it in my house!!!! And I have fairly low humidity!

[Tony]

Is it in bark? When bark breaks down, it usually develops a fungus. It is not directly harmful to the plant, and there is no need to treat with a fungicide, just repot into fresh mix and it will not return until the bark breaks down again.

[Gin]

What was it potted in ? Bark ? if so it is a sign the bark is breaking down . The mold feeds on the bark not on the plant. Gin

[Ross]

Should I dare add a third response!? If the plant is in bark that is a pretty normal occurence due to the bark breaking down (fungal activity).

[ColoradoBirddog]

It was in the bark mixture. The thing is, it was only a couple of inches down; not at the bottom of the pot. The bark did not necessarily need replacement; The roots are growing, and I am switching to s/h. I have never seen anything like the stuff I saw today. Remember, I live in a very dry climate; we don't get fungus here, normally.
Kev

[harrywitmore]

The whole point of potting orchids in a pot with bark is to overcome the affects of a very dry environment. It's very humid inside the pot or the plant would not survive you very low humidity.

[Ross]

I'll just add to what Harry said, the fungal spores probably were already in the bark.

[Tindomul]

Has anyone ever had a mushroom sprout in their orchid pots?? And if so, did you kill it?