Well, I sniffed it and nothing..
It really doesn't smell like anything.
-Sandra



Kenni Judd wrote:
As I think you've seen by the variety of responses so far, we can't
tell
exactly what you have, but all the likely suspects tend to like
decomposing
potting mix. So even if it doesn't look broken down to you,
something may
well be going on. Have you tried the "sniff test"? Decomposing
media has a
distinct "musty" smell compared to nice fresh stuff.

There are lots of different approaches, as you've probably also seen.
If
the plants were mine:

1. If the phals are in short spike, not yet showing much in the way
of buds
and certainly not color, I would go ahead and repot -- discarding all
old
pots and mix.

2. If the buds are fat, I'd spray for the bugs and then enjoy the
flowers,
repotting after they finish blooming.

I do not generally recommend preventive spraying of either fungicide
or
pesticide. If you do decide to use the Physan, please use at label
strength -- using it too dilute can create resistant fungi just as
spraying
the watered-down acephate products creates resistant insects. Kenni


"sandra" wrote in message
ups.com...
Ewww, fungust gnats.....
What causes them, what should I do water less?
The potting medium doesn't look broken down, and a lot of my phals
are
spiking should I repot?
These little animals are sort of tiny, my sister showed me a photo
of
some mealy bugs yesterday, so they can't be it, and none of them
are on
the leaves either.
As I said, there's just a few in the potting medium, and they come
above and rest on the aerial roots each time I water & feed.
I was wondering as well, I have a phal bellina, a few days ago I
was
looking at the roots and a few of them appear to be turning a
brownish
color.
It can't be the potting medium because I took the plant out and
checked
it, there's nothing breaking down.
Is it okay if I water with dilluted physan 20 once a month to sort
of
ward off any potential for rot in the medium of my phal bellina, I
read
somewhere that phal.bellina is a lot more susceptible to root
rot....so
should this help a little...
-Sandra


Kenni Judd wrote:
I, too, wondered if it might be what we call "fungus gnats," or
even
one of
the odd-looking ants, but either way the Orthene should work. If
they are
seriously nested in the medium, it would be a good idea to soak
them
in a
dishpan of water [water level slightly higher than the pots]
before
spraying. Kenni

"Larry" wrote in message
. ..
Sounds more like gnats?

Larry


"Steve" wrote in message
...

Wait a minute Kenni. Your advice is good if Sandra has
mealies
but I
question if she really does.
If Sandra only sees mealies when they come to the surface
after
watering,
what do you think?
Sandra, do you have mealy bugs on the leaves of your plants
too?
If not,
are you really sure of what they are?

Steve


Kenni Judd wrote:

Orthene usually works for mealies, but these days you must
read
the
labels.
The active ingredient is acephate [also sold as Isotox and
under
other
brand
names]. You need one that lists acephate as 75% in strength
[in
the
concentrate]. It has been coming out in more dilute
concentrations,
lately,
and these are not only ineffective, they are likely to create
resistant
strains. Good growing,
-- Kenni Judd Juno Beach Orchids http://www.jborchids.com
"sandra"
wrote in message
oups.com...

Hello, I've recently noticed that after I water a few
mealy
bugs come
to the surface of my orchids...
What should I do to get rid of them.
I've heard of X-clude and Orthene, but I would really
appreciate some
personal input
Thanks, Sandra