Has my phal got mold issues?

[Susie11]

Hi I recently bought a phal from the roadside and it looked really healthy. The next day I saw that there was some white stuff growing on it on the stakes. I have now seen that this mold like substance has spread to the roots too. It has already affected one of my other phals so I would just like to know how to deal with this issue? Sorry if this is a double post.

[kiwiorchids]

I have had this problem too. It is a great indicator you need to lay off watering. You can actually use the sticks to tell you when to water and when not to water. If the part in the medium is darker than the rest when it is pulled out, you dont need to water. If it is the same colour as the rest of the stake, water it.

I always water my Phal when the top 3rd of the medium looks dry. They grow quite hapily like that.

[Susie11]

I have had this problem too. It is a great indicator you need to lay off watering. You can actually use the sticks to tell you when to water and when not to water. If the part in the medium is darker than the rest when it is pulled out, you dont need to water. If it is the same colour as the rest of the stake, water it.


I always water my Phal when the top 3rd of the medium looks dry. They grow quite hapily like that.

So I'll get an anti fungal and stop watering for a while then. Thanks for the advice.
Posted via Mobile Device

Looking at the pictures closely it looks like mealy bugs to me. If so you need to eradicate them quickly. I have been in battle with them all summer.

What do you use to get rid of them? Are these bugs tiny little white wormy things?
Posted via Mobile Device

In a word, yes. Try to give the seven day treatment when watering it. It wont die if it's a day late in being watered but you have to keep an eye one it and not let the leaves wrinkle by under watering it. As Kiwiorchids says, use the stick method if that's easier for you. In the mean time I would give it a spray with any of the fungicides you can buy on line or at a well stocked garden center. I use Murphy's Traditional Copper Fungicide easily available here in the UK.

yeah I think I will use thay method from now on. I'll get some Murphys as well but in the mean time is a garlic bath a good substitute?
Posted via Mobile Device

[gardenguysorchids]

Looking at the pictures closely it looks like mealy bugs to me. If so you need to eradicate them quickly. I have been in battle with them all summer.

[Hoanui]

In a word, yes. Try to give the seven day treatment when watering it. It wont die if it's a day late in being watered but you have to keep an eye one it and not let the leaves wrinkle by under watering it. As Kiwiorchids says, use the stick method if that's easier for you. In the mean time I would give it a spray with any of the fungicides you can buy on line or at a well stocked garden center. I use Murphy's Traditional Copper Fungicide easily available here in the UK.

[kiwiorchids]

I found Copper Oxychloride has a detrimental effect on orchids. It can slow down or even stop growth, because they simply dont like the stuff. I use a liquid copper solution.

[kiwiorchids]

Here are some mealy bug pictures:





And the mealy bug surely wouldnt colonise the stakes, only use them as a pathway to get from one point to another. I would expect to see a number on the plant.
Unfortunatly my stakes are too dry atm because of a short dry period i am giving the orchids. so no mold/mildew on them atm!

[gardenguysorchids]

Here are some mealy bug pictures:





And the mealy bug surely wouldnt colonise the stakes, only use them as a pathway to get from one point to another. I would expect to see a number on the plant.
Unfortunatly my stakes are too dry atm because of a short dry period i am giving the orchids. so no mold/mildew on them atm!

Yes, great pics of heavy mealy bug infestation. Looking at the second picture the two white spots on the leafs look like a mealy bug. I have also had them lay their eggs on the stakes of some plants and even on the bark. That is why it is recommended that all that be removed and discarded to get rid of them. I agree with Bruce that the other residue looks more like salt build up.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I would wonder by the burns on the roots if the white residue on the stakes is chemical/ salts settling out of the fertilizer.

Cheers,
BD

[kiwiorchids]

hmmm...now you guys mention it, it looks like it could be salt residue. I still dont think it is mealy bug though.