Question
Hi! I am new to orchids.  I have one Phalaenopsis that is almost a year old.  It appears very healthy with many new roots, about 6 to 8 new leaves and it appears to be getting ready to bloom again (new stems about 1 cm high so far).  However,I noticed tiny white bugs in the soil this morning. I have read that this indicates that the plant needs repotting, but I have also read that I should wait to repot until after the plant finishes blooming.  Is the bug situation urgent or should I wait until after the plant blooms?  Thank you!

Answer
Hi Lynda,

If your phalaenopsis orchids is just now in the process of sending up new stems, you probably can repot it by being careful to not damage the stems.  When you repot it, do it in the afternoon when things are warmer because the stems are not quite as brittle.  

Be sure to check the underside of the leaves as that is where those tiny white bugs are headed for or some may already be there.  Clean off all of the white bugs you find, even one missed bug can restart their reappearance.  

But, if you do not feel confident enough to repot with those stems starting to grow, you can wait until the flowers are gone.  While it is doing that, you should inspect the pot and underside of the leaves weekly for any white bugs and remove them.  What you do not want to see happen is for them to get the upper hand and suck all of the life giving water and food out of the leaves.  

Hope this helped.  Write back if you have other questions or would like more information about the above.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.