Need help identifying this small white bug in roots

[Manu]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Welcome!

I like that glass pot showing those healthy roots.
Are there any drainage holes??

So I decided to give it a try and drill some drainage and aeration holes. I think it will improve the living conditions of the plant. 2 drainage holes at the bottom and 2 aeration in the middle. I added a pic if you want to see.

[PaphMadMan]

I think the drainage holes are a good idea, but I doubt it will have much effect on the springtails. I don't think you need to do anything in response to them. They are literally everywhere. Any plant that comes into your home, a new purchase, anything that summers outside, can bring them in. And you'd have to maintain at least 2-3 ft distance between plants to make spreading less likely. Your plants are obviously healthy, and you can easily see if the condition of the media and roots changes.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

I think the drainage holes are a good idea, but I doubt it will have much effect on the springtails. I don't think you need to do anything in response to them. They are literally everywhere. Any plant that comes into your home, a new purchase, anything that summers outside, can bring them in. And you'd have to maintain at least 2-3 ft distance between plants to make spreading less likely. Your plants are obviously healthy, and you can easily see if the condition of the media and roots changes.

Thanks! I actually did the drainage holes to add drainage not for the bugs... I guess I got sidetracked. Had purchased my glass drilling bits a while back but never got to it. I added a few more holes. I now have proper drainage and can rinse out the pot thoroughly to remove excess fertilizer and it will retain a bit less moisture this way. I can now leave the plant in there for a few more months or years without worrying.

[vjo]

Beeeauuuutiful roots!!

[Manu]

Originally Posted by vjo

Beeeauuuutiful roots!!

Hehe thanks

[Joseia]

Definitely very healthy plant, great roots. You are very daring to drill those holes with the plant still inside. I'm a coward, I would not have dared to drill glass unless it was empty. But obviously, you got great results! 😊

[Manu]

Originally Posted by Joseia

Definitely very healthy plant, great roots. You are very daring to drill those holes with the plant still inside. I'm a coward, I would not have dared to drill glass unless it was empty. But obviously, you got great results! 😊

Thanks

It's actually not hard to drill those holes just need to have the right equipment and take your time. About 10 15 minutes per hole for the bottom ones as the vase is super thick. I drilled a few more. I'm done for now. Ideally I'd need a hole at the underneath as well but I think this is good enough! Going forward i will drill before the plants are in! One last pic of the last hole... quarter inch by almost half inch depth... I thought I'd never get thru!

Can't wait to see it's 4 spikes in bloom. It's a Phal White Dream in case someone was wondering. Last year got 20 something amazing perfect flowers that lasted from May till September. Bought this plant a few years back from Home Depot on clearance for 5$, best purchase ever. It was one of those colorfuze died in blue plant. It has pushed new spikes every year since and reblooms on old ones!

[Manu]

Oh and thanks for the help identifying the bugs everyone and sorry for getting sidetracked with my glass vase drainage!

[Joseia]

I've got one of those Blue Mystiques also, it was the first orchid I ever bought. It has beautiful white blooms and is an easy grower. I bought it when I knew nothing about orchids and when I realized it would not bloom again as a blue flower, I was initially very upset. But I love this plant, the white flowers are amazing.

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by Joseia

I've got one of those Blue Mystiques also, it was the first orchid I ever bought. It has beautiful white blooms and is an easy grower. I bought it when I knew nothing about orchids and when I realized it would not bloom again as a blue flower, I was initially very upset. But I love this plant, the white flowers are amazing.

I prefer to call these by a more appropriate name... Blue Mistake.