My Cymbidium Has BUGS!

[Willyd57]

There are bugs crawling around in the potting medium of my Cymbidium. Can anyone identify the critter and tell me how to kill em without killing the orchid?

The photo is magnified about X60 or so and it is slightly blurry.



Thanks for the help

Bill

[Laticauda]

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[Willyd57]

Originally Posted by Laticauda

It won't allow us to see it without signing in.

I have this fixed! Thanks for letting me know

[Laticauda]

Ok, I can't identify it by the picture but if it's crawling around in the media, it doesn't sound like a parasitic pest. My first guesses would be springtail or fungus gnats. The treatment for both would be the same, less moisture.

Don't take my word though, I'm not an entomologist or botanist, just hoping I can give you something to look into and confirm it or not.

[Willyd57]

Originally Posted by Laticauda

Ok, I can't identify it by the picture but if it's crawling around in the media, it doesn't sound like a parasitic pest. My first guesses would be springtail or fungus gnats. The treatment for both would be the same, less moisture.

Don't take my word though, I'm not an entomologist or botanist, just hoping I can give you something to look into and confirm it or not.

Thank you for your help. I will look into it!

[Roberta]

Once the weather warms up a bit, I suspect that the bark has broken down, and a repot would be a good idea. That will take care of any little beasties that are moving in.

[rbarata]

My cymbs are outside full time so if there are no bugs that doesn't seem normal.
Sorry, I can't help you on that.
Do you have them inside?

[Willyd57]

Originally Posted by rbarata

My cymbs are outside full time so if there are no bugs that doesn't seem normal.
Sorry, I can't help you on that.
Do you have them inside?

Yes, my Cymbidium is indoors. I live in Iowa and it's winter so way to cold to be outside until spring arrives. I just purchased this Cym a couple months ago, and repotted it when it arrived. I mist it every day and water twice a week. I am not sure the bugs are hurting the plant, but I felt I should find out for sure if I can.

Thanks
Bill

[rbarata]

I don't think those bugs hurt the plant. Probably they feed on smaller bugs that might (or not) hurt the plant.
What's your medium?

[WaterWitchin]

My personal preference is for bugs to stay outside my indoor living spaces, regardless of what they are. I'd give it a quick soak, kill the little beggars, and move on.

But, that's a personal preference. I also have a couple of small tree frogs that have survived three or four years in my basement grow room. They're usually standing up and applauding by the time I bring all the plants inside for winter. Then work their little tongues off for me during winter months.