Will these worms hurt the plant?

[Joyce2021]

I found these big worms in the plant soil. I just got this bougainvillea a few days ago. It has so many bug issues. I am trying to get rid of ants from this plant. Now I found worn and fungus gnats. are these worms damaging the tree?

 

[19Mateo83]

Look one is a red wriggler to me. I’m pretty sure they only eat dead organic matter. Also free fertilizer

Do Worms Eat Roots? (Will Earthworms Cause Root Damage to Plants?)

Do worms eat roots? Worms eat almost any decaying or dead organic matter that can provide them the nutrients they need. So, with roots...

wormmy.com

 

[penumbra]

Looks like a millipede, not a worm. Regardless, with the issues you have described, the terrible looking soil, and the fact that it sounds like you are losing the battle, a full re-pot including a complete bare rooting and washing is warranted.

 

[ShadyStump]

They appear to be a common variety of earthworm to me. They only feed on dead matter, so not necessarily a problem.
They could possibly be a sign of root rot, but if the tree has no other signs of the sort I wouldn't be worried.
Worm castings (fancy word for worm poop) are great organic fertilizer for virtually all plant species, so they're probably doing more good than harm.
Worms are always a good sign in gardens, they just don't often happen in pots, and the bonsai habit of inorganic substrates make them even more rare so people panic.

Also, similar to stated above, once you get to repotting, they'll be gone in short order. I wouldn't recommend an out of season repot regardless.

 

[Joyce2021]

They appear to be a common variety of earthworm to me. They only feed on dead matter, so not necessarily a problem.
They could possibly be a sign of root rot, but if the tree has no other signs of the sort I wouldn't be worried.
Worm castings (fancy word for worm poop) are great organic fertilizer for virtually all plant species, so they're probably doing more good than harm.
Worms are always a good sign in gardens, they just don't often happen in pots, and the bonsai habit of inorganic substrates make them even more rare so people panic.

Also, similar to stated above, once you get to repotting, they'll be gone in short order. I wouldn't recommend an out of season repot regardless.

Thank you.

I didn't want to do an out-of-season repot because I was worried it could harm the tree. So I chose to fight the bug issue with neem oil, soapy water, and insecticide. Hope the tree won't die.

I am new to Bonsai. When will be fine to repot this plant? Will early spring be ok?

Thanks, again.

 

[penumbra]

I would like to see a close up of the creature in question. The top one that is tightly coiled resembles a centipede. I mistakenly suggested a millipede. Also the strong banding is less like an earthworm.

 

[19Mateo83]

I would like to see a close up of the creature in question. The top one that is tightly coiled resembles a centipede. I mistakenly suggested a millipede. Also the strong banding is less like an earthworm.

The top one does look like a centipede

 

[penumbra]

I am new to Bonsai. When will be fine to repot this plant? Will early spring be ok?

Normally summer for a bougainvillea, but if the plant is in serious decline, it needs an emergency re-pot. Bougainvillea does not like wet soil and that is both what I see and what is described. It needs a very well draining mix.

 

[ShadyStump]

I would like to see a close up of the creature in question. The top one that is tightly coiled resembles a centipede. I mistakenly suggested a millipede. Also the strong banding is less like an earthworm.

Easy for OP to answer.
Are they soft and squishy on the outside, or hard outside and squishy inside?

Thank you.

I didn't want to do an out-of-season repot because I was worried it could harm the tree. So I chose to fight the bug issue with neem oil, soapy water, and insecticide. Hope the tree won't die.

I am new to Bonsai. When will be fine to repot this plant? Will early spring be ok?

Thanks, again.

I'm relatively new to bonsai too, but not to gardening.
Worms won't hurt a healthy tree under any conditions. Even the ants, unless their nest is IN the pot, will die on their own shortly.

Millipedes and centipedes are more like roley poley/pill bugs. Arthropods, hard exoskeleton, many many legs, don't feed directly on organic matter. So you're only concern there is bugs in your home.

Early spring or late summer/early fall is generally the best time for transplanting and repotting. Not during active growth or dormancy, but leave at least a month for roots to recover before either. GENERALLY.

 

[Joyce2021]

Normally summer for a bougainvillea, but if the plant is in serious decline, it needs an emergency re-pot. Bougainvillea does not like wet soil and that is both what I see and what is described. It needs a very well draining mix.

Thank you.

It probably should be repotted then. The soil is pretty terrible.

 

[TN_Jim]

Water with best practices until best time to repot..?
Centipede/millipedes good -keep these assassins

 

[Potawatomi13]

These be Millipedes. Eaters of dead organic matter one believes. Harmless.

 

[Shibui]

Almost certainly millipedes. Agree they are harmless to the bougie.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Yes, they eat only dead and decaying organics, but get rid of that soil asap when gets warmer (bouganvilleas like late spring or summer repot)

 

[penumbra]

Early spring or late summer/early fall is generally the best time for transplanting and repotting. Not during active growth or dormancy, but leave at least a month for roots to recover before either. GENERALLY.

In general is correct. This is a bougie. Like a ficus, best time is active growth time like summer. Or any time repotting needs to be done creating a summer climate with lights and appropriate heat. I do a number of winter re-pots on tropicals and then put them either in my plant room under lights or my grow tent.

 

[ShadyStump]

In general is correct. This is a bougie. Like a ficus, best time is active growth time like summer. Or any time repotting needs to be done creating a summer climate with lights and appropriate heat. I do a number of winter re-pots on tropicals and then put them either in my plant room under lights or my grow tent.

Good to know.
Learning more every day