Centipedes and mildew questions

[SaraJean]

Two separate questions:
First is that I keep finding centipedes in some of my bulbophylum pots and on a couple of my mounts. Are these harmful in any way? Or are they more predatory little creatures? I grow my orchids entirely outdoors so I’m used to having critters but I’m not cool with something that’s going to eat all of my roots off again...

Second question is about mildew. My little mounted bulbophyllum trichocephalum (pictured) has mildew on the mount again. Last time this happened earlier this summer I took him off of the old mount, removed all of the old sphag, made sure he was clean and remounted using all fresh supplies. Now it’s happening again I don’t really want to disturb this one again so does anyone have any ways to treat mildew without removing the orchid from the mount?

[Subrosa]

Are you sure you have Centipedes and not Millipedes? Millipedes are the dark brown/black armor plated trains. They move slowly. Centipedes are lightning quick, because they're predatory. Millipedes are scavengers which might indicate the media is breaking down.

[estación seca]

Fungus spores are everywhere. I wouldn't go to the trouble of taking apart a mount due to fungus overgrowth, because it will recur unless conditions change. The fungus is feeding on dead sphagnum, not the orchid.

Sphagnum is relatively fungus resistant. How humid is the growing area for that Bulbo? Is there good air circulation? They don't require super high humidity, just lots of water. You can find a good combination of adequate humidity and good air circulation that allows your Bulbo to be happy and prevents fungal overgrowth.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Are you sure you have Centipedes and not Millipedes? Millipedes are the dark brown/black armor plated trains. They move slowly. Centipedes are lightning quick, because they're predatory. Millipedes are scavengers which might indicate the media is breaking down.

Yes, after looking at some pics they are definitely millipedes. I hope that the media is still good and that’s not the issue, the couple of pots I found them in had just been repotted less than 6 months ago with new sphagnum. They do have algae growth though, so maybe that’s it.
I will double check and make sure that there is no other debris or crap in there

---------- Post added at 06:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Fungus spores are everywhere. I wouldn't go to the trouble of taking apart a mount due to fungus overgrowth, because it will recur unless conditions change. The fungus is feeding on dead sphagnum, not the orchid.

Sphagnum is relatively fungus resistant. How humid is the growing area for that Bulbo? Is there good air circulation? They don't require super high humidity, just lots of water. You can find a good combination of adequate humidity and good air circulation that allows your Bulbo to be happy and prevents fungal overgrowth.

Humidity outside in the courtyard has been between 50% and 80% lately. The mounts get watered at least once a day and twice if it’s hot or if humidity on the low side and I notice the bulbophylum mounts are getting crunchy by early afternoon. Air movement isn’t terrible, but that is definitely something I can add with a fan. I usually just really on whatever breeze is coming off the river.

All other bulbos (mounted ones, baskets, and pots) seem to be fine, it’s just this one that seems to be giving me problems. Otherwise, this one seems to be healthy and growing, this moldy, mildewy crud is just baffling me

Thanks y’all!

[Roberta]

Physan is a good fungicide/algicide. For mounted plants, you can put the diluted solution in a spray bottle.

[estación seca]

It could be something that was on that particular piece of wood from the start, or brought in on that particular plant. Did you select the wood, or did the plant arrive mounted on that?

You could take a piece of fungus to your local parish agricultural extension agent. They could probably identify it and tell you more about it.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It could be something that was on that particular piece of wood from the start, or brought in on that particular plant. Did you select the wood, or did the plant arrive mounted on that?

You could take a piece of fungus to your local parish agricultural extension agent. They could probably identify it and tell you more about it.

I just found an extension of LSU ariculural center in our parish that will take samples. Didn’t even know you could have them do stuff like that, or even that we had an ag center. Of course after looking at the website and seeing that they also have a master gardener program, now I want to do that too..

And the materials I used were all new, the wood was from a vendor that I use frequently for orchids. Im thinking I will send an email to them as well to see if they have any ideas what it might be

[Dollythehun]

As a Master Gardener, I can tell you to go for it. It will be invaluable.