Tiny mites in S/H - Orchid Board

Wayne Nickerson · #1 12-21-2008, 11:37 AM

Hi folks Just finish watering my to plants in S/H. I,ve noticed on the top of the medium, that I have little mites of some kind crawling around. Would any one know what these are and what causes them. And how do I get rid of them. My orchid are doing great in S/H except for these little pests.

quiltergal · #2 12-21-2008, 01:13 PM

Wayne they are probably springtails. They're feeding on the decaying remains of the original root system. I have them in a couple of my S/H pots. They don't seem to hurt anything.

DelawareJim · #3 12-21-2008, 01:20 PM

If they're on the LECA then as Terri said they're springtails. They only feel on dead organic matter so in a way they are a good thing.

If they're on the plants with small webs and tiny white spots on the leafs, they are spider mites and the plants should be treated. If you beat some soapy water and spread the foam on the leaves, it'll kill the mites it may take a couple of treatments to kill them all.

Cheers.
Jim

Becca · #4 12-21-2008, 01:51 PM

Wayne....could you describe them a little more? I am interested to know if they are long and narrow for their size or if they look more like a small black dot? I have problems with the tiny tiny black pin drop looking bugs in my s/h containers. They don't seem to do anything and the 'chids look happy and healthy. I looked up what springtails look like and they don't look anything like what I have.

Wayne Nickerson · #5 12-25-2008, 11:45 AM

Thanks everyone for your help, yes I think maybe they are springtails. And Becca sorry so long getting back to you. These tiny creatures are small as a grain of salt, are a light gray colour, they are not on the plant its self and are only seen when I water. Hope this will help Wayne

dave b · #6 12-25-2008, 12:57 PM

There are 2 types of springtails. The one were most familiar with has the elongated slender body. There is also a Globular Springtail, which is what many of you are probably seeing. They look like small black - brown dots. Ive got them in and on most of my plants. They dont cause any harm per say, just feeding on decomposing matter. Google search Images for Globular springtail.