Mold growing??

[lifeisgood]

I just noticed on one of my orchids that there is mold growing around the base (on the roots, stake, and lower stalk/stem). Also have had the bottom two leaves fall off. Anyone know what I am doing wrong? It is a phal growing in bark. Thanks in advance!

[katrina]

Are you sure it's mold? Maybe it's algae? Green or white?

Are you letting the phal get just about dry between waterings?

A picture of the situation might be helpful.

[jpyerry]

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine brought me her NOID mini Phal and it had mold growing at the top of the mixture. I believe it was due to overwatering as well as being packed in sphagnum moss that was denser than a blackhole, to complicate things it was in a pot that did not have any drainage holes. I really don't understand why orchid vendors do these types of things, certainly they know what works and what doesn't and these practices seem to kill orchids enmasse.

Anyway, I did my best and trimmed the dead roots and repotted it for her in a pot with good drainage and an airier medium. Unfortunately, it was too late for this plant and it passed a few weeks after the repot. Hopefully your case is not as advanced, and like Katrina said, a picture would be helpful.

Maybe introducing an anti-fungal like Physan would be helpful as you correct the problem. I use it all the time with good results, I actually use it prophylactically as I have an intractable problem with bacterial rot in my grow space.

Best of luck,
Justin