Bugs in my Orchid's Roots?

[RandomGemini]

Good to know that they are relatively harmless and I don't have to worry about them being actual fleas. They did remind me of fleas when I saw them and I have three Labradors. Fleas in this house would be a nightmare.

Bad to know that they thrive on rotting vegetation. That means I'm going to have to repot and investigate what's going on in those roots. I was hoping to wait to repot it after the blooms had died, but if there's rot in there, I feel like I should deal with that as soon as I can, for the whole health of the plant. I was wanting to repot anyway, because I think that the current pot is a bit too cramped for the roots and I was concerned about possible rot because of the cramped conditions.

Gah... I'm really afraid this orchid is not going to make it under my tender care but I'm already addicted. I found some pathetic looking orchids at the hardware store yesterday and really wanted to bring them home to save them. I refrained, because I need to figure out what I'm doing with the one I have first.

Nope, no frogs. I've got a few cardinal and ember tetras and a sparkling gourami, not to mention a hoard of cherry shrimp in there, but no frogs.

That is a very cool trick! I have a clip on macro lens for my iPhone somewhere though, I'll try to find it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I wouldn't worry about saving hybrids as much. Save the species orchids.

Man-made hybrids are mass produced by the millions. You save 1 there are 1,000's to take that 1 orchid's place.

Species orchids are not produced in numbers anywhere near what artificially produced hybrids are because of the lower demand for them.

How are the man-made hybrids produced by the millions?

Ever heard of cloning? There's a procedure called mericloning. Check it out.

Yeah, it's 100% truth. If the orchid you have is a hybrid from a "big box store" or from the supermarket, it most likely is a cloned specimen.

I don't have anything against saving an orchid; just do it for the right reasons. If it's a plant of sentimental value to you, just leave it at that.

Remember save the species, not the artificially mass produced man-made hybrids.

[RandomGemini]

That makes sense. I'm not looking at this from a conservation standpoint, but I DO see the merits of that. I just felt bad for the poor flowers sitting in the pots at Lowe's and the blooms they had remaining were kinda pretty.

As far as this apparently sickly phal, my daughter purchased this orchid for me, which is why I'm trying to keep it alive, that and I expect that when she moves into the dorms in a couple of years, I will inherit her orchids, along with her parakeets, and that's fine, but I'd prefer to not have the orchids die on my watch, so I'm treating the one I have as a learning experience for future reference, you know what I mean?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's cool. I know what you mean.

[Island Girl]

Yep, I know what u mean too. & You're a good momma!

Oh yea, and springtails are definitely reminiscent of fleas... I've had them in my house before (springtails) they're just lighter in color (completely different bugs from one-another, for sure, but they are about the same size, shape, & jump about like them too)

[RandomGemini]

Thanks again for the help! I've got everything set up to give the orchid a soapy bath and some fresh potting media tonight!

I do try to be a good mom, but honestly, this is all about self-defense. She'll have to leave the orchids behind, she won't have space for them in her dorm. If they die on my watch, she'll NEVER forgive me LOL!

[WhiteRabbit]

As to dish soap, I use regular Dawn. I don't know if brand matters, but I'd probably stick with basic - extra things added (moisturizers, anti-bacterials) may not be good