Little Critter

[HHLL38]

Well perhaps i'll take the dive and repot today, would just hate to see it give up on it's blooms, they've gotten bigger and better as time has progressed.

Who knows, maybe it wont mind.

[HHLL38]

Quick update, repotted the Phrag, much to my chagrin, but found nothing in the old mix.

Decided I was going to experiment a little with trying to emulate it's natural environment. It's found growing along the edges of rivers, so for the most part the roots are completely under water. So I used a very fine bark mix since that would allow the least amount of air flow and the most amount of water to sit around the roots. But I filled the bottom of the pot with packing peanuts to allow the water that I have it sit in to get to the fine bark.

Hopefully this plant will appreciate it's new mix, and continue to bloom better and better!

[espranch]

Jonada is correct...If you gave me that orchid RIGHT NOW, it would be re-potted tomorrow...Betty

P.S. I would of course, rinse its roots very well first...

[pavel]

The critter in the photo appears to be a baby millipede. Most are detritivores (they eat dead/decaying matter).

[Dazed]

We call them Christmas Worms in Barbados... either its because they come out this time of the year mostly or cause they give off a smell kinda like old pine.

[the dragonn]

I'm pretty sure that photo is a baby millipede.

[opaline]

Often have many millis and centis and other insects living happily amongst substrate both for dragon vivariums and humidity trays for tropical plants. Have never batted an eyelid or shown any concern to these and let them carry on with their important roles, only when a particular guest has potential to bring or cause harm do I react. Ofcourse harm in terms of intro of harmful pathogens is a given but then systemics do there thing as intended, so enough space for harmony really.

Im a sucker for collecting and picking up various natural items such as fallen mosses, twigs with lichens, all purely for the aesthetic value of my personal hobby and so i learned my lesson from this contamination risk the hard way but i still continue to do it now but additional methods have been put in place as far as preventative treatment goes. Nepenthes are a great indicator of snail/ slug presence and those problematic threats from decaying orchid tissues or rotting bulbs are often isolated from spreading due to the work of these detritivores. They are great at maintaining the crown bases of cymbid plants. I would never recommend this kind of approach though due to the obvious controversy and debate, its more something ive become comfortable with, these mini eco systems are fascinating and not always a bad thing.

[Dorsetman]

The short cut is this - how quickly does it move ? If it darts about, it's a carnivore - they move fast to catch their prey - do no harm, may eat other pests . If it stands still or moves slowly, its a sap-sucker and should be zapped.