Mold and new growth?

beth_moore2010

10 years ago

Hi there. So, to say I'm a novice Orchid grower would be an overstatement! I have one plant that I recieved for Vday a year ago and learned how to replant it via a YouTube video. I planted it in a mixture of orchid bark and the moss mixture it originally came in (from the grocery store). I recieved the orchid in an extremely dry mountain city and have since moved to the coast in central CA.

So my problem is this: I have mold! Upon realizing this, I cut back on my watering ten fold thinking it was a result of my over watering and the new humid climate that the orchid was being exposed to. From making these changes, the mold stopped growing and disappeared aside from residue that I can still see...I'll attach a picture to show what I mean.

The leaves are limp and slightly shriveled in appearance but still living.

The kicker to all of this is: there's a new leaf growing and a spike that is starting to grow!

Should I continue doing what I'm doing with the minimal watering or do I need to treat for the mold? Replant, maybe?

Thank you for any help with this and/or general orchid maintainance advice!

1st pic - mold residue (and terrible root coverage?)

2nd pic - new leaf growing from center and spike starting from the bottom

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Comments (4)

beth_moore2010
Original Author
10 years ago
And, it's a pink Phal I believe! I don't know how to be more specific.
Danielle Rose
10 years ago
The new growth (I'm pretty sure it's just a new root), is a signal that it's still chugging along, wanting to live. I would buy some new bark. If you're a humid environment, skip the moss. Just repot the plant in orchid bark mix (I like mixes with chunks of perlite and charcoal in them, too), and give it a thorough soak ever 7-10 days. This will keep the humidity up, but still allow air flow, which will prevent the mold.

If you really think humidity is an issue, look for a plastic or terra cotta pot with holes along the sides, or one like this, which will let a lot of air in and stop the mold from growing.
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shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
10 years ago
I live in a humid environment. I use terra cotta pots and lava rock only. And I water a lot. That mix gives very good drainage and the pot draws out moisture. I noticed that if I do not fill the pot it is more likely to get moldy. So now I fill the pot to the very top and get much less mold. That way it is all exposed to air circulation. And remember that orchids are air plants. They need moving air. Slow moving air. Most of mine get help from ceiling fans...
jane__ny
10 years ago
Dannie is right. Repot now, it is Springtime and your plant is beginning to come back to life. Perfect time for new beginnings!

Get rid of the moss and mix entirely and plant in new, fresh bark mix. Soak the bark overnite to make it absorb the water before planting. Every week or so (when bark looks dry) water it well and let the water run through. That helps flush out any salts or bugs which could be in there. Then let the plant dry out.

Warm and humid, put your plant outside in a shady area. Let the rain water it. Just make sure the pot drains. Bring it inside when the temps drop in the Fall. It should spike at that time giving you flowers for winter.

Just get rid of the mix it is in now and start over. You are doing a good job and your Phal looks fine and ready to grow.

Jane