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Can anyone identify these?

Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
edited May 2022 in Problem solving
Have taken my orchids outside to water and feed. These critters are in the bottom of the pots of the bamboo orchids....the small variety with tiny scented white flowers in early spring. They are curled up, firstly looking like little snails,then they uncurl and scarper,very fast looking like centipedes.They are mostly black 2/3rds of an inch long.

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Two sets of legs per body section so they're millipedes. Polydesmus species I would think, which are the flat-backed millipedes that usually live in leaf litter and rotting wood and help break down the decaying material. Pop them by the compost heap and they should be happy there.



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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I've been finding those recently, in amongst the dying forget-me-nots. I left them alone as far as possible so I'm pleased they're not nibblers of living plants, and that I don't need to worry if a few find their way into the compost bin with the f-m-ns.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    How odd,there is no rotting wood in these pots. They are in the conservatory,how the devil did they get in there. Oh, well,the orchids are all outside now,in hanging baskets,under trees in the shade. Boy,do they move,was really difficult trying to take a photo of them.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Could they have been in the orchid compost? It's made of bark chips isn't it?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    These are unusual bamboo orchids,I bought them from my osteopath! They aren't in bark, like the rest of my orchids,I've never repotted them. I've had them about 4years,and never had these things before.
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