New Miltonidium bugs - Orchid Board

kdennis14 · #1 11-27-2014, 05:34 PM

Hello,
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone,
I recently purchased a Miltonidium, have had it about 3 weeks. I have kept it in quarantine. Yesterday I noticed some little black spots on the stem and flowers. I cleaned her well with alcohol. She is in bloom and the flowers smell like honey, I love her already. I have NOT repotted her as she had flowers. Now I think I must repot. My question is .....Is it ok to repot in winter? Someone once said NEVER to repot in winter. Failed to mention...I did find some tiny little bugs. They looked like moving dots. eeeewwwww
Thank you,
Karen

campchi · #2 11-27-2014, 06:22 PM

If you dont want to lose the plant, it is best to repot it until it gets out of control. You might not get the best of bloom, but at least you dont need to deal with bugs.

kdennis14 · #3 11-27-2014, 07:17 PM

Ok, I will repot tomorrow a.m.
I will keep my fingers crossed.

WhiteRabbit · #4 11-28-2014, 07:01 PM

You can spray with rubbing alcohol or a mixture of soapy water and rubbing alcohol (avoiding the flowers with soap). If pests are in media, you can soak in the same.
Repotting would be better if there's a heavy infestation in the media, but remember to clean all parts of the plant well, or repot may be pointless. Also, expect that blooms may drop afterwards.

NYCorchidman · #5 11-30-2014, 08:35 PM

Moving dots...I suspect you are talking about springtails, which are harmless to the plant.

Spider mites also move but not as fast as springtails.

Where do you see the bugs? on the potting mix or on the plant leaf??

kdennis14 · #6 12-01-2014, 07:12 PM

Hello,
I spotted a couple more of the little bug dots. One the pot was one and a couple on the plant itself. Really, they look like little dark grey-to black moving specks. I am worried.

NYCorchidman · #7 12-01-2014, 07:41 PM

I doubt they are spider mites because it is very hard to see their presence on the potting media and they are generally not found there.

Are they perfectly or nearly round or rather elongated in shape??

Are they quite fast?? or slowly walking around?

Can you take pictures of them??
I still think they are harmless bugs.

kdennis14 · #8 12-02-2014, 04:22 PM

Hi,
They are round, and fairly slow moving. Dark in color. I sprayed the plant today with a safe insecticide, miticide, fungicide. I love the plant.
I have found them mostly on the stem, and flowers.
I am just concerned.
Thank you for responding

NYCorchidman · #9 12-06-2014, 11:49 AM

The pictures are not clear enough to see exactly what it is, but if they are mostly on the plant, then with other information you shared, I think it is a black aphid.
Simple washing would also take care of them.

I hope you don't see them again. lol

kdennis14 · #10 12-09-2014, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

The pictures are not clear enough to see exactly what it is, but if they are mostly on the plant, then with other information you shared, I think it is a black aphid.
Simple washing would also take care of them.

I hope you don't see them again. lol

Thank you so much for helping me.