Little critters on my hanging Brassia's pot

[br00n0]

Hello to all,

New to this board, new to orchids!

A friend of mine gave me a hanging Brassia, potted in moss, chips of woods, in a wooden crate. So moss and roots shoot out here and there.

The plant is in very good shape and has started growing a flower stem. It's now about 10 inches long and we can count about 8 flower buds. Yippee!

However, I have noticed yesterday 4-5 tiny black (dark brown) insects running along the crate and the moss. They're 1-2 mm long and move quite fast. I was able to crush them with my finger.

The plant itself seems unharmed... for now. I water the plant only when the moss is dry. So it's about every 3-4 days. I've added some fertilizer to give a little boost during its flowering. Leaves seem untouched.

The insects do not fit any online pest resources I have visited on the Web. Maybe they're inoffensive, but I just want to be sure.

Any hints, anyone?

Thanks!

[Lorraine]

Sorry no hints here. You might have to dunk the basket in a bucket of water with a bit of dishwashing liquid to send those critters out of the moss. Then be ready to send them on a oneway ticket to bugdom. Or wet down the entire basket of moss with and insecticide solution then after a while flush with clean water. I had big ants in a potted new chid and had to get rid of all the medium.
It's hard to tell when we can't see what you have. I just don't like critters in my guys. Good luck.
Lorraine

[br00n0]

Originally Posted by Lorraine

Sorry no hints here. You might have to dunk the basket in a bucket of water with a bit of dishwashing liquid to send those critters out of the moss. Then be ready to send them on a oneway ticket to bugdom. Or wet down the entire basket of moss with and insecticide solution then after a while flush with clean water. I had big ants in a potted new chid and had to get rid of all the medium.
It's hard to tell when we can't see what you have. I just don't like critters in my guys. Good luck.
Lorraine

Thanks for the tips, Lorraine!

As I don't seem to have an infestation, maybe dunking the pot (as I always do) keeps the population to a minimum.
And since the plant is starting to flower, I don't want to shock it either!
So I guess I'll take it easy and try to take a picture, although I doubt I'll be able. They'll just appear ar tiny brown dots on the wood!
But I'll try to add some dishwashing liquid.

Thanks!

[Ross]

If they look like little flies (ie have wings) but prefer to run rather than fly, those are called shore flies. The larvae eat algae. The adults are short lived and the cycle between laying eggs and the hatchlings is approx 5 days. Shore Flies Only effective way to get rid of them is eliminate the algae. Pesticides don't work. Neithe do any of the home remedies.

[Lorraine]

I don't spray any of my flowers or buds so a spraying of the basket and hitting some of the moss and plant in the lower area might the way to go. It should not shock anything. Just spray in a well ventilated area so you can get the basket real good or set in the tub and then let drip dry. All my guys get a monthly spraying to keep the buggers away. I'd zap em and get them gone for awhile.
Lorraine

[br00n0]

Originally Posted by Ross

If they look like little flies (ie have wings) but prefer to run rather than fly, those are called shore flies. The larvae eat algae. The adults are short lived and the cycle between laying eggs and the hatchlings is approx 5 days. Shore Flies Only effective way to get rid of them is eliminate the algae. Pesticides don't work. Neithe do any of the home remedies.

Although I religiously soak the hanging plant only when it's dry, could algae still get a hold on such a plant?

But I will take a better look at these critters tonight when I get back from work.

Thanks!

[Ross]

Yes algae can and often does form, especially if you have sphagnum. Sometimes the algae is just a yellowish tinge on the leaves or pseudobulbs. I get these guys from time to time and they are totally harmless to plants and roots. It's just the little black specks of poop they leave all over.