Need help identifying red mini bugs that killed my Phal, please..

[titi_bradley]

Hello everyone! I`m hoping to get a little expert help from you. One of my phals died. The leaves turned yellow and then a few days later on closer inspection were completely rotten at the base. When I removed the leaves to examine what caused the rotting, I found miniature red bugs all over the base of the leaves.
I have 20 more phals and am worried they might get these same pests. Can someone help me know what they were and how to get rid of them? Or even better, how to avoid them please?
There are also plenty of healthy green roots left (see last two pics). Is it possible to save or should I just throw it out?
Here are a few pics of the critters...

[mmursuli]

I'm no expert, but i really don't think bugs did that to your orchid. I tried to rescue one my neighbor gave me and it looked a lot like yours--it had crown rot. Your best bet is to trash it. I don't know how big your orchid was, but the pot you had it in looks way too big for it. I learned that lesson the hard way. Most orchids like to be snug in their pots.
Good luck!

[ronaldhanko]

Very tiny red bugs (almost too small to see with the eye) could be spider mites and they will kill a Phal by causing the leaves to yellow. Best remedy is good air movement and a miticide that is good for orchids - some insecticidal soaps work well.

[Ironwood]

The red spots look like a fungal growth, but this would not be the case if the red spots can crawl around.

[glengary54]

I think I have to agree with mmursil - It looks like a classic case of crown rot, and yes, that pot was way to big.

[titi_bradley]

Hey, thank you for responding. Anyway, this is what it looked like before it died. It had lived happily for over a year and a half and flowered four or five times. Do you still think the pot is too big? If so, then I probably need to change the other phals as well. But they seem so happy!!??
The red bugs (miniature spots) did crawl around by the way...

[mmursuli]

Originally Posted by titi_bradley

Hey, thank you for responding. Anyway, this is what it looked like before it died. It had lived happily for over a year and a half and flowered four or five times. Do you still think the pot is too big? If so, then I probably need to change the other phals as well. But they seem so happy!!??
The red bugs (miniature spots) did crawl around by the way...

she was a beauty. Unfortunately, that pot is too big. Decorative pots are very pretty and all, but they'll kill your plants. Now, don't get me wrong, I love decorative pots and I use them around the house, but here's what I do:
I pot the orchid (usually a phal) in a clear plastic pot using bark. Make sure the pot is about an inch bigger than the root system. Then, viola! Just place the clear pot within the decorative pot If the decorative pot is too deep, you can place something in the bottom to raise the clear pot. You can also top dress the orchid with moss, but I don't like to do that.
I really hope this helps. Can we see your other orchids?

[titi_bradley]

Originally Posted by mmursuli

she was a beauty. Unfortunately, that pot is too big. Decorative pots are very pretty and all, but they'll kill your plants. Now, don't get me wrong, I love decorative pots and I use them around the house, but here's what I do:
I pot the orchid (usually a phal) in a clear plastic pot using bark. Make sure the pot is about an inch bigger than the root system. Then, viola! Just place the clear pot within the decorative pot If the decorative pot is too deep, you can place something in the bottom to raise the clear pot. You can also top dress the orchid with moss, but I don't like to do that.
I really hope this helps. Can we see your other orchids?

Well, I`ve decided to change most of my orchids because after what I`ve been told and seen in everybody else`s pics, it seem pretty obvious that I need to.
I`ve seen some pretty orchid pots that are smaller, pretty and have lots of ventilation holes around them. Are these any good?
Here are a few pics of my other phals. You can see most of them on my profile.

[mmursuli]

Your phals are beautiful I've been eyeing those pots you posted for a while now. I'm waiting for one of my phals to outgrow her pot to buy one! I like them a lot because of all the holes, and they're prettier that plain ol' plastic or terracotta pots. You're phals look healthy, but idk if they'll continue growing healthy roots in some of those pots.
Also, I noticed in some of your pics (album pics) that there were water droplets on your phal leaves. Make sure you wipe them dry after watering! It can lead to fungal growth or something ugly like that. And make sure there isn't sitting water in the crown, which leads to crown rot. I'm crazy when it comes to water on my phal leaves.
I hope I helped! Keep us posted

[titi_bradley]

Very helpful. Thank you!!