Help with Pests!

[leslieann79]

I grow under lights with a little supplemental light from a south facing window. I am growing in semi hydroponics. Today I was watering and I saw a teeny tiny bug scramble and hide in the leca of one of my plants. It didn't fly or anything. It was maybe the size of a pin head. Also I see in the leca this gross webby like stuff (different plant) I figured it was just from the old roots rotting or something.

The plants are going wild growing like crazy spiking all over the place. I just got my first bloom from my ambionesis. Plants that havent responded months ago are going wild with growth. I'm very happy. I just hope this isnt the start of something. I'm very paranoid about bugs and they give me the icks. Any ideas folks?

[RosieC]

What colour was the bug, did it look round, or thin, did it have visible legs and/or wings. From the sound of it it moved fast, is that right?

It's really hard to tell what it might be without pictures but it can be really hard to get those for bugs, so as detailed a description as possible will help.

My first thought for webbing in the medium is actually algae, but I could be wrong on that.

I've moved your post to the 'Pests/Diseases' section in the hope you will get more knowledgeable replies than me in this section

[kindrag23]

RosieC is right with out pictures or more identifiers we will have a hard time identifying it.

[leslieann79]

It was really hard to tell anything about it. It looked round and black and very very small. I can't imagine being able to get a picture of it. My mind is already full of horrible things that are happening to my orchids lol. Should I re-pot them all with new medium or is that over kill at this point? I assume if I saw it in one they probably all have them.

[kindrag23]

like it could be a tiny beatle?

[RHF]

If I can manage to post URL you can check the slides from this talk.

http://www.vaos.org/vaosblog/wp-cont...SueBottom1.pdf

[leslieann79]

My husband thinks it may have just been a gnat. I haven't seen anything else so for now I'm going to relax. I wish I had more information for identification! I tried to google orchid pests so I could see some pictures but I didn't find anything really helpful.

[La Casa de las Orquideas]

Regardless of the type of bug, you could mix a solution of water and chlorine (2 tbsp per gallon or 1/2 tbsp per quart, depending on how much you need to sumerge the pot) and drench the plant in it. Let it sit in the solution for 10 minutes. It wont harm the plant, but can help you get rid of the bug (bugs) and their eggs.

Afterwards, rinse thoroughly under running water.

Hope it helps!!

[leslieann79]

That was a great link RHF. Thanks