Some more newbie Q's...

[lisadpa]

hi everybody! Thanks for all the great replies to my previous Q's.

So now I've had my first-time Phal for almost two weeks. I still haven't watered it because it was sitting in water when I got it and the skewer is JUST starting to dry out...maybe tomorrow I will water it for the first time.

I was inspecting the roots again today, most of them look pretty healthy (firm, esp. near the middle of the plant--is that called the crown?) Here are the q's:

1. Is it ok if the ends of the roots aren't so firm? I mean the parts of the roots that are poking out into the medium. Is that normal? The ends are more straw-like, thinner...not so robust.

2. I saw one tiny flying bug when I was doing this. I have seen no other bugs, nor evidence thereof (nice looking plant, leaves look healthy, there's some new growth etc). Could this be just a moisture nat or something? I am praying this isn't some bad type of bug...

3. Yesterday I saw one silk thread...no webs though. I have seen spider mite webs before (on houseplants...not in this current house). I'm praying this is just a normal spider web or dusty cob web in my house...am I fooling myself? I haven't seen any other web stuff on the orchid before or since.

4. I have a haworthia (like an aloe) that I love, I've had it for almost 20 yrs. It's about a foot and a half away from the new orchid on my window sill. Is it insane to keep it near the orchid, which is still new here and its health status uncertain?

How long will it take for me to know if the orchid is bug/virus/bacteria free?

5. The orchid had some nice buds that were just about to open when we got it home. I think the change in environment stopped them from opening, but they still look great and just about to open...no change in their appearance. Is there any chance they'll open?

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!! I am SO hoping to have luck with this orchid. I am dying to get some more but I think I need to try my hand at just this one first.

Have a great day everyone and happy holiday weekend to my friends in the USA.

L

[tom499]

DO NOT touch the ends of the roots hehe they are very delicate and can be easily damaged. But dont worry if you've touched them, just becareful with them

The occassional bug is normal, just keep a watch on them, try and avoid standing water, except in humidity trays with stones. buying a carnivorous plant can be useful, i have some pitchers in the greenhouse which kill with effiency the sound of insects buzzing inside the pitchers can be heard from all over the garden

mites will leave a cotton bud like mess behind. spiders will have single strands and usually build a nice web if you leave the plant long enough. Spiders are great to have, as they will catch bugs and probably eat mites too.

I would keep the orchid on its own, in its own room, or at least a few metres away from other plants for a month at least. Most pests, fungi, or viruses will usually be visible within a week, but i always like to be extra careful.

Bud growth can be extremely slow at some stages, as long as they dont turn yellow then you have a good chance of getting flowers.


I would recommend looking up common orchid problems, a few books have been recommended on here, and posts on orchid pests.

Knowing the enemy before it strikes gives you a much better chance of keeping your orchids alive

[jerrymeola]

The exposed roots sound like they have dried out and died (because you described them like straw) but the rest of the root inside the pot is probably fine. This is a normal growth patten and need not concern you.

Orchids from a reputable grower seldom have insects. Most commercial growers are inspected regularly. My nursery was just inspected by the state Department of Agriculture last week. Hawaii has just instituted an inspection for something they found in California, that requires inspection for every individual shipment (costs go up again).

Bacteria and fungus problems will not jump from your orchids to other house plants unless carried on your tools (usually scissors). Develop good hygiene habits around your plants.

Still even if the risk is low why take any chance with a favorite plant. Keeping new plants segregated will never hurt.

[PhalPal]

Jerry - the 'new bug' they found in California is called the Guava Fruit Fly. It is native to South America and has never been found here before. The entire state is on lock down and we have all these little traps hanging in the trees! I'm really hoping this does not hinder an International Orchid Show coming to Santa Barbara, Ca in July. That would be a real drag....