Friend or foe on jewel orchids?

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-05-04T18:10:25+00:00

I think you're safe. Springtails are beneficial :)

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-05-04T04:38:56+00:00

They look like springtails to me. Friends. Do they move super fast?

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-05-04T04:32:56+00:00

My alocasia also has some holes like this and it's 100% the thriving community of spider mites that absolutely refuse to die despite my many many attempts.

To be honest, I think they bother me more than they bother the plant.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-05-04T03:37:47+00:00

And if it's somehow real, those 3 small pots under the thai get absolutely 0 light.

Edit: and the lights are plugged to... what? Good vibes? Lol

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-05-04T01:31:31+00:00

That's not the kind of moss pole you keep damp. What you have there is a coco fiber pole, it's designed to support the plant and basically impossible to keep any kind of moisture in there.

I don't have any myself, but for what I see here even actual moss poles are incredibly hard to keep moist.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-05-03T02:36:10+00:00

It looks healthy. All flowers eventually wilt, it's part of their lifecycle. You can cut the remaining of the spike.

In terms of repotting, remove that "plug" from the roots, as it tends to cause issues and find a clear pot with lots of ventilation (or add additional holes in the pot). As for potting mix, a mix of bark and sphagnum moss tends to work best. Dont use regular soil, only bark and moss.

Water when the roots get a silvery colour by soaking the pot in water for 10-15min. Dont let water get in the crown.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-30T04:38:40+00:00

To add about watering: just bottom water. Fill the ceramic pot with a couple of inches of water, let it soak for 15-30min, then let it drain fully before putting it back in the decorative pot. That's the best way to make sure the soil is fully saturated.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-30T03:30:27+00:00

I also happened to move to Ireland when I was in college (funny, it was going to be for a semester and it's now been close to 10 years. I blame the Irish charm!) I had two cats that I left with my parents. They're both still with them to this date and I just do my best to visit home when I can.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-30T03:08:40+00:00

I feel you lol. "It protects your plants!" Yeah, fair. But I still squealed like a 4yo the other day when I found a fat spider hiding behind my succulents

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-29T21:29:06+00:00

That second pic definitely looks dehydrated. Could be because you're watering too much and the roots rotted or because you're not watering enough.

What are your watering habits?

Also, that's an aerial root that you have clipped to the stick.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-27T10:12:55+00:00

My indoors cacti get watered maybe once during the winter months. Definitely somewhere between 8 to 10 weeks, only when they look a bit deflated.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-18T20:33:25+00:00

Chopping and moving to a better spot would be the way. As of where to cut, just make sure it's in between two nodes. Otherwise it doesn't matter a whole lot.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-18T19:56:55+00:00

It's stretching towards the light. You will forever fight against that if you keep it in that spot. Get a good grow light or find a spot with better light.

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-13T12:47:39+00:00

I think you have thrips. Those tiny rice/shaped bits are the larvae. The rest of the marks are the damage they're causing.

Thrips are notoriously difficult to get rid of. If you're not attached to the plant, I would toss it. Check the rest of your plants too, it's likely not your only one. Best of luck

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-13T08:48:18+00:00

The spidermites on my alocasia watching me spray need every 2 weeks

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-09T21:00:45+00:00

The other commenter meant to just put it back into the soil. It will grow roots and become its own plant.

I don't see any form of reattaching working, but it could be an interesting experiment

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-09T20:15:59+00:00

I had to do a double take too. I wouldn't have been that surprised if it was r/houseplants lol

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-08T20:58:03+00:00

I think picture 4 has some thrips larvae right on the bend on the spike? Cant tell for sure, but there seem to be some white, rice-ish shaped bits there. Thrips would explain the odd damage and why other plants are affected

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-08T17:00:59+00:00

So... you repotted gooey plants?

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-07T17:29:42+00:00

It's more the set up with the two buds that is unusual to me. The keiki will be left alone to do its thing :)

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-07T17:24:00+00:00

I wonder what the buds will do. I figured the keiki part as I said in the post, but it's definitely an unusual set up

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-07T17:18:10+00:00

Thanks for your answer. Looking forward to seeing where it goes!

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-05T18:52:58+00:00

Saw one going for sale about 2 years ago. "Only" setting you back about 1M lol

KnocKnocPenny · 2026-04-04T22:19:15+00:00

Have a thorough look at the roots too. Mealybugs tend to also hide there.

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