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

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

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

sandra wrote:
Ewww, fungust gnats.....
What causes them, what should I do water less?
Momma fungus gnats... *grin* Fungus gnats are reasonably harmless,
but are a sign of decomposition in your potting mix. A little
decomposition is probably a good thing (a lot is obviously not). Fungus
gnats look a lot like fruit flies. I have a fungus gnat flying around
my office right now. Driving me nuts...

If you want something harmless, get some Gnatrol, which is a variety of
Bacillus israeliensis (I think). They give the little gnat larvae
serious tummy aches. They used to make a reasonable hobby size of that,
now you might have to buy a gallon.

Failing finding a suitable supply of gnatrol, you could just use sticky
traps. A yellow piece of cardstock covered with some rubber cement
works, or you can buy traps already pre-stickied. I see them at the
hydroponics store. The gnats like bright colors, and get stuck.
Doesn't get them all, but keeps them down to a minimum. You can get
yellow traps or blue traps. I think they are supposed to attract
different bugs. Not a bad idea to have some around to monitor pest
populations.

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.

See if you can find a picture of springtails on the internet. That
is my guess. They are effectively harmless, but kind of gross. Like
fungus gnats, they also thrive in decomposing potting mix.



--
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit

The knats are harmless just irritating!About the phal bellina I have found
this to be a tricky phal to get growing well,even to get growing at all!Give
it warmth & humidity if this fails ditch it and don't by that type again.

--
Thanks Keith,England,UK.
"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...
sandra wrote:
Ewww, fungust gnats.....
What causes them, what should I do water less?
Momma fungus gnats... *grin* Fungus gnats are reasonably harmless,
but are a sign of decomposition in your potting mix. A little
decomposition is probably a good thing (a lot is obviously not). Fungus
gnats look a lot like fruit flies. I have a fungus gnat flying around
my office right now. Driving me nuts...

If you want something harmless, get some Gnatrol, which is a variety of
Bacillus israeliensis (I think). They give the little gnat larvae
serious tummy aches. They used to make a reasonable hobby size of that,
now you might have to buy a gallon.

Failing finding a suitable supply of gnatrol, you could just use sticky
traps. A yellow piece of cardstock covered with some rubber cement
works, or you can buy traps already pre-stickied. I see them at the
hydroponics store. The gnats like bright colors, and get stuck.
Doesn't get them all, but keeps them down to a minimum. You can get
yellow traps or blue traps. I think they are supposed to attract
different bugs. Not a bad idea to have some around to monitor pest
populations.

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.

See if you can find a picture of springtails on the internet. That
is my guess. They are effectively harmless, but kind of gross. Like
fungus gnats, they also thrive in decomposing potting mix.



--
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit

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

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

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