Tiny silver bugs in phalaenopis plant medium

[beqq valQIS]

I discovered tiny bugs in the sphagnum moss of my one Phalaenopis. I had these before in my begonias & replaced the soil; this was years ago & before my orchids. I inspect my orchids everyday & give them a thorough inspection on watering day. I found these tiny bugs today in my one orchid. I tried to take a picture of one but my camera doesn't have the clarity in something that small. I noticed them when the light reflects on them. About the time I noticed them, my husband has noticed small, almost gnat flies congregating around the sinks in the morning. (I assume it's the adults.) I figure identification may be difficult on this vermin, but I was wondering what sort of product could I use for this problem. I figure that using insecticidal soap would be out of the question because they are so near the roots. This orchid has survived black rot in its crown (I cut away the rotten material & packed it with cinnamon). It's blooms have been on for more than 4 months & has 2 new buds. It also is also starting to grow a keiki & I think that there may be more soon.

[nikkik]

It sounds like springtails. They feed on the decaying media in the pot. If it is springtails, it may be time to repot & that should be enough to solve the problem.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Let me be clear...

You have 2 types of invertebrates on your orchid.

1. The tiny silver bugs are springtails.

2. The flying gnats, are exactly that - fungus gnats.

Fungus gnat larvae are also a sign of decaying plant matter and consistent moisture. Fungus gnat larvae look like tiny transparent caterpillars with tiny black heads.

I suggest pulling your Phal out of that pot and checking the roots. Especially when you're using full on moss as a potting medium.

Please read the following sticky:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

[beqq valQIS]

I'm glad that I got a tentative diagnosis of the varmints! When I got the orchid, it was already potted in the moss. I hated the moss because it was hard to water. Now, I'm glad to hear the best thing to do is to repot it; I also have another orchid in the same material, its getting repotted too! Now I know that I should be careful when buying another orchid. If I find one that I can't resist & it's in moss; to repot it as soon as possible!

[beqq valQIS]

I went to take the orchid out of the moss, I found a nasty mess. There was white & green mold on top of the moss! Good thing I got to it in time. Most of the roots were white with dry bands. Some of the green roots had dry areas between the plant & the rest of the root. Needless to say, the orchid was in surgery for about 4 hours. I also put cinnamon on the root ends that I cut & placed growth enhancer (hormone?) at the base; I've had good luck with this on another ailing orchid that I had to do surgery on. It's now in stable but guarded condition.