White fuzzy fungus on phal stem base

[jeesunkist]

So I sought for help a few weeks ago about a phal with no roots (which this board wouldn't let me insert the link for some reason) and thanks to everyone's advice and help, it has been repotted into new media since and still keeping up with its green.
However, I have noticed a white fuzzy fungal growth around its base stem area today and was just a bit concerned. It doesn't seem like snow mold but wanted to make sure it was nothing else harmful. Anyone have any idea what this is? What should I do?

[daddydoall]

Scrape the mold and you'll likely find a bug.
systemic insecticides work best as they lay eggs in the media and come back even if you submerge the whole plant and pot. I use imadocloprid (bayer systemic) very diluted now monthly. It got rid of all the mealy bugs and ants too.

[Daethen]

Could very well be mealies. You have the plant a bit deep in the pot as well.

[vjo]

Yes it looks like mealy bug fuzz to me too. A q-tip and some alcohol should take care of it. Be sure to look in ALL the nooks and crannies and the underside of leaves, they hide EVERYWHERE!!

[reliablefool]

The whole q-tip with alcohol is not really effective since mealies like to hide out in the media. I know people try to steer clear of pesticides but a systemic really is the easiest way to get rid of these. Having said that, I used a concoction of 2 cups warm water, 1/2 tsp cinnamon extract, and 10-ish drops of dish soap when I had an infestation and one application got rid of them, or they are lying dormant for years >.> I mean I sprayed and also soaked the plant for a few minutes. I thoroughly rinsed afterward because soap/cinnamon extract probably isn't the best for the leaves or roots.

[jeesunkist]

Thank you so much with all the info!
I poured boiling water on bark medium and let it sit for over night when I repotted to make sure it kills all the pests and apperently it didnt work! I also soaked the roots in peroxide but guess that didn't help either...
Is it safe to use alcohol pad for wiping leaves? And I am assuming I should wait until next watering schedule to use the dish soap mix...
Do you guys have any preferences in sterilizing media?

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by jeesunkist

Is it safe to use alcohol pad for wiping leaves?

I have used alcohol on phal leaves many times without problems.

[silken]

My thought is the bugs came with the plant, not the media. It happens quite often.

[Stray59]

It looks like mealys to me also, but if it is mold, you will probably find more of it various parts of the media. If that is the case, I would increase the air flow - I used to have a mold problem, until I put a larger fan in the area and moved more air - since then, no mold.
Just an idea in case it is not insect related.
Also, I think you have to make 5 posts before you can upload anything like a link..... make a few more posts and see if you can upload then....
Best of luck!

[jeesunkist]

So I went home today with 70% isopropyl alcohol and when I dug up the surface moss and tried to take off fuzz ball (or whatever it was) and looked at the stem, I see no insects or anything. Instead, I find snow mold (???I'm a phal newbie, quite not sure what it is???) on one of the bark chip, only one of it!

Also one of my last actual root has died and peeled off its surface cover... Now all I have left is two aerial roots anchored in the bark...
I tossed out the chip and sprayed alcohol around the stem (for the time being) area, leaves look fairly okay for now.

I only water it once a week but now that all the roots are dying don't know if this is the time I should just take it out of medium and just put it on a stick over water for aeration with plastic bag over it...or water culture?

I am so confused!!!