Question
Wayne, Please help. I have white mold on my phalaenopsis orchid.  The stems and flower buds are sticky.  This is spreading to my other orchids.  I am loathe to throw any out as I love them so much, but don`t know what it is or what to do about it.  I wipe the leaves and stems with water on cotton wool, but the mold is down in the base of the leaves and I can`t get it all out.  Hope this is enough information for you to work out the problem for me. Thank-you.
Ann

Answer
Ann, the white "mold" is a type of insect called a mealy bug.The mealy bug is a sucking insect, multiplies rapidly, and moves about the plant. I recommend that you remove the plant from its pot and discard the old potting mix and pot.  Before doing this, be sure you have a small bag of orchid potting mix and an appropriate size plastic pot. Eggs and bugs are in the old potting mix, as well as on the plant so you must bag the old mix and put it and the old pot in the garbage outside.  Next, I recommend you examine the plant roots.  If there are any mushy roots, cut them off.  This is all in preparation for giving your plant a new lease on life.  Two other steps before repotting your plant in fresh orchid mix and a clean pot.  Next, I want you to use a garen hose or other high pressure apray outside and use it to clean off the roots and all other parts of the plant.  When done, your roots should be clean and green and you should see no more mealy bugs.  In preparation for the next step before repotting, go to your local garden center and get a systemic insecticide for use against mealy bugs.  I want you to make a drench by mixing enough in water to be able to submerge the plant in it.  Be sure you perform this step with heavy rubber gloves.  Submerge the plant and leave it there for an hour or so before taking it out  and setting it aside to dry.  Perform all these steps outside in the fresh air.  When it is thoroughly dry, you may repot it.  Remember that it has been in insecticide so repot it using rubber gloves.  After repotting, if the insecticidal odor is too strong in the house, you may put the plant in its pot in a clear plastic bag and tie it shut (the plant should be dry).  After a week or so you should remove the plant from the bag and slowly resume watering.  The alternative to this radical procedure is to remove the mealy bugs with a Q-tip or cotton swab dipped in rubing alcohol.  This will enable you to remove all of the visible insects, but, as you pointed out, new ones will be emeging over time both from their hiding places and from new hatchlngs.  This latter method requires a continuing vigilance and constantly removing them with the alcohol and cotton.  The best thing that can be said about the latter method is that it is safer and less odoriferous than the insecticide and you can reduce the damage done to your plant-- but it will be an ongoing process.