I'm pretty sure I've got a problem.

[HeatherAnnn]

Was given a phal a couple of months ago. It's a noid for right now because it did not have a tag. It was in good shape when I got it, nice roots and leaves. Now, the roots are dieing and there is some funny looking stuff all over the bark!! It looks like spider webs every where. I read somewhere to rub my fingers between the leaves to see if there is any dusty bits, and there is!

Now, I have another phal a -Chien xen Pearl. I think it has a problem too! It was in too large of a pot and loosing roots so I moved it and put it in some moss. Well...the outside of the pot has what looks like a fungus on it! Its only got two good roots, and they look like they've got it too! But there is a new leaf coming out of the plant. So I don't know what to do!!!!

Here are some pictures. I do not know if they came out good or not, but I hope they can help solve this problem of mine.

[-k-]

Check out information on spider mites; as it could be the problem.

[HeatherAnnn]

Just in case those pictures don't show anything I took some more.

[-k-]

I can't really see much in the photos; if indeed it's little spiderwebs you see and if it is spidermites they would be too small for anyone to see.
But when in doubt flush it out!!! I would take it out of the pot and clean the plant really well and possibly treat with an insecticide if need be.

[zaeem]

Seems the plant is shooting a root,it is thriving.outside could be salt deposit or a spider's web.Dont worry keep moist.

[rcb]

K is correct in that spidermites are to small to see without magnification. But, unless it is a really really recent infection, you can see the damage they cause easily.
But, I don't see any spidermite damage. At all. But if it makes you more comfortable to treat just in case, it won't hurt.

As for finding dusty material along the leaves, any possibility it is just dust? Or dried salt deposits?

As for the roots dying, are they drying up and dying or rotting and dying. And spidermites don't cause root death either.

the pictures of the outside of the pot are not clear enough for me to tell what it is. But I've never seen spidermites congregate on the outside of the pot.

I seriously doubt this is a spider mite infection.

It could be salt deposits as Zaeem mentioned. Or mold, or fungus. But your mix looks ok from what i can see.

[PhalNewbie89]

I think they covered what might be in your pot but as for the out side, does it possibly look like a fuzzy mold? I have only used a clay pot once because with the long lasting moisture of my chids I started to have mold growing on the outside. It got pretty rough. Maybe your pot is just staying too moist and you have mold growing. Just need some good airflow for that.

[Filb]

It looks like a bit of mold. The stuff on the outside of the pot is most likely salts leeched out from fertilizing. I get that all the time.

From what I saw in your pictures, it didn't look like anything was really amiss.
I think I'd mentioned this to someone else that had a similar looking problem.
When I got "fuzzy" pieces of bark in one of my brassias (which is what looks like happened to you), I flushed the media with dilute bleach and haven't had any issues since. (I used ~half a capful in ~a half gallon of water)

[HeatherAnnn]

Took it to a friend who grows orchids. He told me that I am worrying too much and "trying to mother the plant." He said it's just salt deposits on the pot, and not to worry about the other that it is just fine. -He was actually the one that gave me the two orchids, so I will trust his judgment.

While I was there I aquired some more orchids. He won a Doritis pulcherrima in an auction and gave it to me! He also was splitting up a vanilla bean orchid and gave me some of that one also. So does anyone know how to care for this Doritis pulcherrima?

[11Orchid126]

The plant in the first picture looks like the pot is a bit too big. Too much medium will stay wet too long and rot the roots.

[HeatherAnnn]

Thank you for the suggestion. I will take a look.

[Brooke]

The Doritis is now classified as a Phal. - you grow it just like a Phal.

Brooke

[jerrymeola]

Your friend is right and you are worrying too much.

The orchid was re-potted before giving it to you and it should be fine in that pot for a couple of years.

I did not see and sign of root damage or spider mites in the photos. Another way to determine if you have spider mites (and usually seen earlier) is that the underside of the leaves will be pitted where they bit into the leaves. Thousands of little bites will leave the underside looking like it has a silver sheen. Thrips also leave the underside of the leaf pitted but with a slightly different look.

All these insects lay enough eggs to hatch every 2-3 days. Repeated applications to kill them is necessary or they just grow a new generation.