mealybugs on aerial roots?

[Kaykay]

Does this happen? I've heard of them on leaves, stems and pseudobulbs, but roots? I've been lucky so far and have never had to deal with them before.

Background: My miltoniopsis recently finished flowering, and maybe 2 days after cutting down the stem I found the white fluff over some of the aerial roots and between 2 pseudobulbs (where there are also some roots). At first I thought it was maybe some sort of mould, but was puzzled, as they have good ventilation etc. I treated with listerine, and nothing happened.

I repotted, seeing as it is repotting time anyway, and didn't want to leave an orchid in a potentially infected medium. I discovered that ALL of the roots in the medium were perfectly healthy. No need to deal with a single one.

So, could this white fluff be mealies? ( sorry no camera cable for picture uploading) I've also sprayed my 'chid with pesticide (again no visible improvement). Would anyone seriously recommend the paintbrush and meths technique on roots??!!!

On the upside, other than that, the orchid seems fine, happy, and even seems to be putting out some new growth, so go figure!

Any thoughts please? Can you even get mealies on roots??
Kay

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's not very common, but mealies will attack the root zone of your plants.

I had it happen with my Physothallis cylindrica in the past.

You just gotta keep battling them until they're all gone.

It's probably better to go with insecticidal soap in this scenario.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Oh yeah, the Physothallis cylindrica kept growing even with the mealie infestation.

Doesn't mean they were okay though.

The Physothallis is still alive and no longer has this problem.

[PaphMadMan]

Root mealies are definitely possible, even deep in the media. I lost many paphs that way several years ago.