Mealybugs or sheetrock?

[mandyjo]

Okay, it was suggested that my phal has mealybugs.I have cleaned the soil and leaves of sheetrock dust and cleaned the roots of the medium. I am posing a picture showing the leaves and the bare roots. Any suggestions? Are they really mealybugs or just dust? Thanks guys!


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[psyc1210]

I don't see any mealy bugs based on the photos, but I do want to ask..what is your Phal potted in?

[digitalgate]

look like mold to me.

[Daethen]

Are you using miracle grow potting mix?

[Ray]

Like JoBeth, I see no evidence of insects, but the roots indicate issue with the potting medium, as does the photo of the potted plant - too dense to allow adequate air flow to the roots.

[mandyjo]

I had it in Miracle Grow orchid mix....but I am going to put it in bark.

[edgy]

Hey Mandyjo....good idea..I've tried the Miracle grow and have had pretty bad results from it. It may be ok for some terrestrials but not so good for epiphytes like phals. Welcome to the forum.

[mandyjo]

Thank you....I live in a very small town. We have a Menards and Kmart, so is there something I can get there to put my orchid in until I can get it in something else? Should I let it sit in water? And also, what is a NOID?

[edgy]

I wouldn't let it sit in just water....try to find some hydroton...little expanded clay balls you should be able to find them in the garden center. This will work until you get your bark medium, some people grow in hydroton. NOID is an orchid with no identification...get it, NO ID, NOID.

[mandyjo]

Thank you so much!!!! It made me laugh out loud...I guess I am a little slow!

[edgy]

No worries....I had the same question and I'm sure we were not the only ones.

[Brooke]

Many commercial growers are using either the peat based, like Miracle Grow, or a coir mix that resembles peat. It isn't a problem for the plants unless you over water them.

Mayres on the forum uses his coir/perlite mix for his Phals and has great success. Look somewhere on the forum (it's a sticky) for his recipe - many people swear by it.

Save your money to get a clear pot for your Phal. When you have no condensation on the inside of the pot, it is time to water. You can always set the clear pot into a decorative pot if you prefer. Many deli containers can be made into free pots, which is even better.

Over watering kills more Phals than all other problems.

Brooke

[PhalPal]

I addition to changing what your phal is potted in I would try a smaller pot. I think you are way overpotted and this certainly adds to overwatering and root rot. Are you aware of the skewer method????

[mandyjo]

Okay, I bought some Perlite, and got some charcoal from a local florist, got some packing peanuts and a small, clear container from a deli. I could not find coir anywhere! Would someone explain to me what I should do with this stuff? Do I mix the charcoal and perlite 50/50 and put over the peanuts? I read about the skewer method after I read this last post. I was letting the medium dry before I watered it, however, the pot is so big that when I took it out the soil towards the bottom was still damp moist. I was killing my orchid and thought I was babying it. Should I cut any of the roots off before repotting???

[Daethen]

Only cut off the brown mushy roots. Put it into a pot that is just big enough to fit the roots into. I have never mixed up my own mix so I can't help you there. If your plant will be top heavy, you may want to put some clean stones in the bottom of the pot for both weight and drainage purposes.

[hera]

Just an aside comment here about Miracle Grow Orchid mix. I have used it with great success on Phrags and Restrepia. Both moisture lovers. Wouldn't use it for phals though.

[katrina]

As Brooke has already mentioned...many people use a coir/peat based mix w/great success. The key to using it is to watch the watering and of course, making sure the pot isn't too large.

Since you already bought some charcoal and perlite...I would mix that into the coir...make a mix that is equal parts the Miracle Grow stuff, the perlite and the charcoal. That will open it up enough and you should be fine. Just remember, this kind of mix won't need watered as often as a bark mix.

Also, as Brooke suggested, a clear pot will help you see when it needs watered vs. trying to guess if it needs watered.

[Brooke]

Mandyjo living in a small town usually means you must order online to purchase the more unusual orchid products. You can add the charcoal and perlite to the Miracle Grow mix to help the bark pieces already in it to open it up more.

Use two parts M.G. with one part charcoal and one part perlite and mix together.

Your roots look fairly good to me - you have long viable roots with many active white growing tips.

Good luck - Brooke

[PhalPal]

Mandyjo I live in a big town and still can't find everything I want so I do a lot of online ordering. My absolutely favorite is w.repotme.com. They have great clear pots and you can order whatever media ingredients you want by the scoop, even coir in many different grades. They will make a custom mix for you as well. Repotme is not the cheapest place but you don't have a lot of orchids. Here is the link if you are interested: Oxygen Core Dual™ Pots I lovelovelove these oxygen-core clear pots! I have been planning to start a thread with pictures of some of my phals and their happy roots. I am slowly repotting all of my phals into these pots as they need it, but it's expensive so a little at a time.

FYI - I have not had good success with the 4.25 size for some reason???? They are just somehow different and I have actually lost a few phals in these. Has anyone else had this experience with this size oxygen-core???

[katrina]

I've recently switched a number of plants over to the "dual core" pots and so far...so good. Mostly the 4.25"....and mostly masdies.

BTW -- I love repotme and buy a lot from them...but Kelly's Korner Orchid Supplies has the 4.25" dual core pots much, MUCH cheaper. Make sure you choose the "set" from the drop down box. Net Pots - Nesting (Pots & Pottery) : Kelley's Korner Orchid Supplies, We offer everything to grow great Orchids!
I also buy some mediums from them too. The product(s) doesn't get to you quite as quick but it's not a long time either. Great prices and I've always been very pleased w/everything I picked up.

[PhalPal]

Thanks Katrina!!! I looked everywhere for a place that had these pots and couldn't find one. I'll definately check them out!