My newly repotted orchids' sphag is moldy

14 years ago

I repotted my 20-some phals about a month ago in fresh sphag. Everyone was happy. I went on vacation last week and did my usual routine - watered heavily, shut off the HID light and fan, and cranked up the humidifier. That's the only way I can be gone for 8 days without them getting bone dry.

Well, I was TOO successful. When I got home, the media was still wet. Today, I noticed a few of the pots have a layer of very fine white spidery mold on top, and even going down throughout the top half inch or so (I potted loosely).

NOW WHAT? Can I drench with something? Do I need to repot the worst looking ones, or even all of them (lots of work!)? So far the roots still look OK, in fact, the roots have grown a lot over the past month.

I'm starting to panic, please respond ASAP!

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Comments (7)

stitzelweller
14 years ago
Watergal,
ASAP! I suggest that you kill the humidifier and turn up your fan(s) to full blast, if you haven't already. The outdoor temp tonight will approach the dew point. There isn't a sunny day in the forecast for the next week.

Good Luck!

--Stitz--
cjc45
14 years ago
That's happened to me before when I've been gone. I agree that drying them out should take care of the problem but first drench them. I have this theory that the fresh water will get more oxygen to the roots and wash out some of the bad stuff.
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howard_a
14 years ago
Now that you are back put the lights back on their regular cycle and relax. There are plenty of people growing without lights in sphag in plastic whose phals are on a two week wet/dry cycle. It isn't the way I would want to do it but there is no need for alarm IMO. The fresh water drench couldn't hurt but a peroxide drench would really get the oxygen in there. That's what I would do.

H
mehitabel
14 years ago
More light and air will help and definitely is the long term solution.

Short term, spritzing with a dilute physan solution kills mold. Also any fungicide, such as Safers 3 n 1 should do the same thing.
watergal
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, everyone. I cranked the fan up to turbo speed and things got drier pretty fast. I drenched all the pots with a physan solution and am hoping for the best. Lots of light and air planned for the future. Maybe next time I should hire an orchid sitter...
stitzelweller
14 years ago
I have a very understanding pet-sitter who is happy to tend to my plants for a few minutes each day. She likes to keep busy while the dogs are eating. I keep it very simple.

--Stitz--
blackeyedgurl
14 years ago
If the moldy sphag on top doesn't get better I would pull it off and replace it with fresh. It's a really easy fix.

I've had this happen to me and had no problem afterwards once the offending moss was removed.

BTW: Nothing bad will happen to your orchids if you let them go dry for a week. Remember, orchids are evolutionary gems, they are built to survive some pretty drastic and harsh conditions. 5 - 20 days dry won't kill them.

My newly repotted orchids' sphag is moldy

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stitzelweller

cjc45

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My newly repotted orchids' sphag is moldy

Comments (7)

stitzelweller

cjc45

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