Mealy bugs in the planting medium

[Aron'sOrchids]

Hello, this is my first time using this forum, but anyway, I recently picked up several phalaenopsis on clearance due to minor damage. the problem is that my wife and I have spotted mealy bugs on some of them, so we've been trying diferent things to clear them off. However, I've read that they have a habit of moving into the planting medium to escape surface treatments and continue to feed on the roots. Is there anything that will eradicate them from my poor plants from top to bottem? I thought of drenching the pot in a mild borax solution, but I'm not sure if that would damage or kill my orchids outright.
Thanks for your help!

Aron

[marydaniellesantos]

Hello and Welcome to OB!

You could try repotting, but rinse the roots thouroughly in luke warm water and use brand new medium. I always boil water, then pour into the bark prior to adding the plant. (You can use the old pots as well, and just treat them with the boiled water also) It's a good way to kill bacteria, fungus and pesties. I wouldn't worry if the plants are in bloom, because phals can be repotted anytime.

That's the simplest and fastest way to do it. Or you can try using Physan 20. Although it may take a little while to aquire it, and the faster you get rid of the nastys the better.

[nenella]

Hi Aron, Welcome to the OB!!!.

I have had one envasion of Mealy bugs since I started growing orchids. I had an envasion a year ago ..(as I just put my new phal with the others) & got 'hit'
I thought I had got rid of them and just the other day I found a couple more bugs on a mini phal noid which is flowered!
For now I have learnt that 'the Best way' For me is : repot into new media ( follow instructions found on this board regarding which type you use) for example : if using bark make sure you soak it first before repotting..
Other thing I have learnt is that the best treatment without going for 'stronger' stuff is - Alcohol @ 90% volume... dab them (with a cotton bud) or I have even poured capfuls onto the plant where you see the bugs - it frizzles them instantaneously.. I then blow and blow over the plant so it evaporates quickly & does not harm them.
hope this helps!

They are a Long affair at getting rid of! I am down to seeing one or two once a month.......
so I have now learn't to quarantine 'chids If I see anything.

[Ray]

Try a drench with SucraShield, an organic insecticide made from sugar.

Root mealies are a PITA to get rid of, and that has been one of the better choices in my experience.

[RobS]

The best way I found to treat against mealy bugs is a systemic insecticide. In Europe Admire is available for consumer use and can be bought in garden centres. It's sold in the US as well try at your local garden centre. Normally one treatment of soaking the pot should work. Be carefull with plants in full growth as I've seen some minor reaction of the plant (although this could be preferable to mealy bugs.

[Call_Me_Bob]

if you can, return the phals, and get healthy ones, if you got it recently, they will give you a refund

[Aron'sOrchids]

Thanks for all the help you guys! I'll give some of your suggestions a try and let you know how it goes.

[Monique.rbld]

Somebody yesterday mentioned about using dr brokers peppermint Castile soap to kill bugs and ants on orchids but i can't find the post could anybody help me? Thanks in advance
Monique

[ardera]

As someone mentioned earlier, I dabbed the buggers with rubbing alcohol. Then I put some in a spray bottle and sprayed down my Phal, and a little of my medium. Haven't seen any on my babies since. Although I didn't have any in the medium, luckily I caught it right away.