Need help identifying this small white bug in roots

[Manu]

Hello everyone! I've been reading this forum for a while but this is actually my first post!

I hope someone can help me identify what those small white bugs are and if I should be concerned and taking some actions.

First of, I've noticed those bug in all my phals today. The plants are in great shape, leaves are nice and firm with no apparent pests and are all pushing out spikes. Roots are also in great shape. The plants are potted in glass vases with plenty of drainage using lava rocks at the bottom then corse western fir bark, charcoal and perlite mix with some new Zeeland sphagnum Moss on top and in the core. I water and fertilize when needed. The plants are really looking great. I'm suspecting it's been present for a long time but I've never noticed. They seem to only show up when I water my plants as I already can't see them anymore and it's been 1 hour since I watered.

I've attached close up pictures of the bugs. Hope it's good enough. Also a picture of the plant to show the general condition.

Thanks in advance for your valuable help

[camille1585]

First of all, welcome to Orchidboard!

Looks and sounds like springtails.

They usually aren't a threat to the plant or roots. They feed on decaying plant material (that includes bark), and like moist environments.
When was the last time you repotted? If it's been a while, springtails can be a sign that your medium is breaking down and you'd do good to repot.

Nice looking root system by the way!

[Manu]

Hi Camille, Thanks your input, it is much appreciated! I pot all my Phals in glass vases so I can see the root system cause I find it gorgeous but also to help identify water needs etc. This specific plant just hit the bottom of the vase so I was considering re-potting it or drilling holes at the bottom and sides to provide additional drainage and airflow as I don’t want those roots to ever sit in water. It’s been potted in there for 1 year only but quickly filled up the vase. I was thinking of letting it for at least the blooming season coming ahead as I have 1 new huge spike and 3 nodes from last year and the year before pushing out spikes!

[Subrosa]

How many legs do they have? From the pic it could be 6 or 8.

[Manu]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

How many legs do they have? From the pic it could be 6 or 8.

Ok so added some water to get them active again, they are so small, impossible to get a better shot then the one already attached, that one was a big one, the other ones I can see are so tiny that I cant tell if they have 6-8-12 legs.

How important is it? I can repot one of my plants and have a look closer at a ''big'' specimen.

[PaphMadMan]

Looks like a springtail to me too. Usually harmless as already noted, and in this case I don't think they indicate a problem. If a root rot problem develops they could spread it from pot to pot. You are just giving them the perfect humid but well aerated environment. Your system obviously works well for you, but springtails might be reduced if you omit the sphagnum, especially in the core. Insecticidal soap drench might give you some control without going to heavy duty measures.

[Subrosa]

Springtails have 6, and if it is a springtail then Camille is right, it's no big deal. If it has more it could be one of several things, some harmless some not. I'm friendly with an entomology professor on another forum and will be giving him a link to this thread when I get home and on the desktop.

[NYCorchidman]

Welcome!

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

[Manu]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

Looks like a springtail to me too. Usually harmless as already noted, and in this case I don't think they indicate a problem. If a root rot problem develops they could spread it from pot to pot. You are just giving them the perfect humid but well aerated environment. Your system obviously works well for you, but springtails might be reduced if you omit the sphagnum, especially in the core. Insecticidal soap drench might give you some control without going to heavy duty measures.

Thanks for the reply. Very reassuring! Should I treat it or can it be left alone until the next repot? Root rot is definitively not an issue with any of my current plants. I added the sphagnum Moss a few weeks ago to keep more humidity in the top part of the vase as it was drying out in the top but still humid in the mid bottom. I was trying to reduce my misting schedule! It has worked well so far, but I think drilling holes in the middle as well as bottom would be my best bet on the long-term as the roots have reached the bottom and that makes my watering more complicated. The rocks used to be enough to allow drainage and tilting to remove excessome water by the top, would also allow to keep moisture which is (was) great.

Are those bugs avoidable or is it bound to happen overtime? Have I created those bugs with my conditions or this affects all orchidset?

I've never paid attention to bugs and never had issues. Just since reading online to try and figure out what this is it got me paranoid.

---------- Post added at 11:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Springtails have 6, and if it is a springtail then Camille is right, it's no big deal. If it has more it could be one of several things, some harmless some not. I'm friendly with an entomology professor on another forum and will be giving him a link to this thread when I get home and on the desktop.

That's great thanks, Appreciate it!

---------- Post added at 12:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Welcome!

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

No drainage hole, I was counting on the lava rock at the bottom (about 3" of it in a 12" deep poth) to allow water to collect and then I can tilt over to remove excess water. It was working well up to the end of this last growth period. That beast pushed roots to the very bottom on all sides all angles, there was cork being pushed out of the vase...I did it as en experiment as I liked the look but everyone seems to say it's not a good idea. I find in my conditions this is by far the most productive way to have it potted I've tries thus far. I did a few more and they are thriving as well. I will be drilling holes going forward, already have my drill bits ready, problem is I'm scared of doing it with the plants already potted, I need a plan B in case the vase cracks. Bareroot would be a temporary option but not in winter here is Quebec! Anyway everything is preparing to bloom, not sure I want to induce any stress?!

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[estación seca]

Welcome!

If springtails, they don't hurt your plant, so you don't need to treat them.

Your plant looks fine. I wouldn't repot until after it blooms. You've learned how to grow it well like that so don't change.