Cymbidium orchid with centipede/miilipede infestation
 

Hi, I have a problem with my cymbidium orchid. there are many-legged creatures crawling around in the roots. Last time I watered, there were tons of ugly worms(babies i guess), Can anyone advise how to de-louse this plant, using a natural mix or product if possible. Otherwise it is curtains for the cymbidium. thankshttp://www.orchidboard.com/community/images/smilies/bow2.gif

How long has it been since you repotted it? Worms and millipedes eat decaying matter, so it's possible that your medium is already breaking down.

THere was a thread where someone cleared an infested terrarium with frozen CO2. Obviously it worked and - its not poisonous for the plant. You should find it with the search function.
Fer

I agree with Camille. Millipedes are drawn to rooted media, and perhaps re potting would be an option. Something else that may be worth trying is to submurge the whole pot in water and leave it there a while. It could drown the critters.

I agree. Re-potting or drowning should fix the problem.

Agreed, I found the best way to get rid of them was to repot and drowning is also good, but they can be more likely to climb out onto the plant when you are not looking, then back into the medium later. If you repot you tend to spot them and can dump them with the old medium and get rid of any that try and escape into the leaves.

10 drops dish soap
1/2 teaspoon cinammon extract
2 cups tepid water

mix it in a sparayer and spray all over the plant
the rest you soak the pot for 5 min to kill the eggs and the crawlies hiding in the pot media

good luck!

Remove the plant from the medium it's in, clean the roots, cut off any dead roots, let it dry a day or two and repot in clean medium. Use a small pot for cymbidiums.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my SOS about the centipede/millipede infestation in my cymbidium.
I took the orchid to Ellerslie Gift and Garden in Edmonton, and a wonderful young lady named Jolene gave me a crash course in orchids. She basically demo'd with my orchid how to examine the leaves and roots, flushed out the vermin, trimmed out the dead roots and showed me how to re-pot with fresh medium. Apparently the orchid is in better shape than I thought. Just a victim of getting too dry then too much water not drained away. So now I have bonded with my cymbidium and I want to thank you all for your encouraging advice.
Dorothy

I like the sound of this...where does one get cinnamon extract?
Dorothy

Yeah I agree with the others, its time to repot.
You should be able to get the extract at a health food store. Although you could also check the spice ilse at you're local food shops.

I've dealt with these lil buggers a few times being in my phrags. Something that would work well for me was a soak then repot then finally a tablespoon of mouthwash with some water - (beer cup size) then added right down into the fresh media. Not the minty stuff just the regular golden listerine.

Good luck :D

centepede and milipede eat other insects. im pretty sure about millipede and i am absolutely certait centipedes on eat meat as i had a pet on before that ate little tiny pink mice some times but mostly crickets

You can find it in the spice aisle of Wal-Mart. And that mixture is wonderful--I use it regularly. :biggrin:

Unfortunately, this is NOT THE TIME OF YEAR TO REPOT CYMBIDIUMS IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. Since you had to do this, keep it on the dry side and out of the rain for the next several months as the roots were cut. Water very lightly. If the plant had been allowed to dry for several days before repotting, it would have been better off. The roots which were cut need to dry and seal before potting at this time of year or they will just rot with the cold temps and water and not send off new branches.

Cym Ladye

Thank you so much for the helpful advice. I envy you living in California. Oh to be able to garden year round! I live in Edmonton Alberta which is zone 3. So my cymbidium is safely tucked away indoors. The only chance of it getting too cold is if the furnace fails. And it is away from the front door so as not to be hit by Arctic drafts in the upcoming months. The plant is actually looking quite happy. I will now be able to judge more accurately the moisture because the new pot is translucent. So I will try to go easy on the water. I did not notice any little critters this week so I am hopeful that the problem is under control. Thanks again Cheers , Dorothy

Dorothy,

If it is in the house, be sure to give it as much light as you can and move it outside as soon as all danger of frost is past. Cyms are really not happy living all year in the house, (most will not bloom under those conditions) and need the light and air circulation available outside.

CL