Green fuzz at base of Phal

[Doc]

I recieved a phal as a gift 2 weeks ago. There is a lot of green fuzz at th base of the plant. I removed some of the fuzz and it smells moldy. Some of the roots that are closer to the base are also green. Plant is in full bloom. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[tom499]

Can you show us a photo? It may just be moss, it could be algae, depending on which will decide the course of action

[fred]

hi Doc
welcome to the forum
I hope that you enjoy your stay here with us
It sounds like it to me that your plant is in sphagnum moss ?
I also agree with Tom a photo would also help
another way you can help us is with going into your user settings to update your Profile with your Location this will help us with giving you the right advice as we are members from all over the world with different growing condition's

[jbigio]

sounds like its planted with live moss. try to sen a pic so we can get a better idea other wise we ar just guessing

[Doc]

Thank you for the quick response to my concern. Here is a photo of the base of the plant. Thanks, Doc.

[fred]

Doc
I would use tweezers to get as much of that off as I could

with what I can see of the photo that looks like pseudobulbs phals so not have psbulbs.

[kmarch]

It looks like you might have a dendrobium, but i can't be certain without seeing more of the plant. This is important because Phalaenopsis care and dendrobium care are different.

the fuzzy stuff looks to me to be some kind of moss. I think it is harmless. You could probably leave it or remove it to suit yourself. If it is a Dendrobium perhaps remove it as constant moisture at their roots might be a problem.

[Tess1]

It looks like moss, should not do any harm.

[jbigio]

I agree with fred it looks like a Dendrobium to me as well. The green stuff is some kind of moss. I would remove it as well but it realy should not hurt in less it starts to take over the pot.

[robb]

moss grows in wet places, which you may not want. presence of moss may mean too much water or may cause uncontrolled water retention. it is your choice in the end, personally I would keep any non-sphagnum type mosses, for ascetic reasons (looks more natural).

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

For Dens, a little damp all the time is OK while growing or blooming. When the plant finishes growing (no new primordial leaves inside the top of the latest growths), and it is not blooming, let the Den dry out very thoroughly between waterings, a few days to a week being very dry. During this time, the moss will probably die. In the mean time, leave it as it will prevent algae from growing on the exposed roots, which can do serious damage to the velamen, the thick white part of the root.

[jbigio]

Letting moss dry out will not kill it moss spores are always in the mix and as soon as it gets enough moister again it will start to re- grow. This happens every spring when I re-pot my Bonsai that I winter in the ground. I keep moss on all of them.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by jbigio

Letting moss dry out will not kill it moss spores are always in the mix and as soon as it gets enough moister again it will start to re- grow. This happens every spring when I re-pot my Bonsai that I winter in the ground. I keep moss on all of them.

but it would wilt the moss right?! That how i kill the moss. Adult dendrobium can
handle that kind of dry out.

[jbigio]

Yes it will wilt and die but when you start watering again it will come back. The spores are in the mix