Fuzzy mold
#Alocasia
Gonna go to the store later today to grab a moister meter but I'm worried about this mold up top the soil, is the soil possibly too wet an the environment is too warm? I only turn on the heater if it gets too cold. I really wanna keep my baby alive cuz I'm just obsessed 🥺🖤
Gonna go to the store later today to grab a moister meter but I'm worried about this mold up top the soil, is the soil possibly too wet an the environment is too warm? I only turn on the heater if it gets too cold. I really wanna keep my baby alive cuz I'm just obsessed 🥺🖤
3
Best Answer
@Carebears Welcome to Greg, Caroline.
Removing the Top Layer of Soil
Start by taking the proper precautions for your health by wearing a mask during the procedure. Secondly, take a spoon and remove the top 2 inches of soil. Thirdly, take a moist cloth and wipe down any mold residue that is on the plant stems. And, lastly, treat your plant with a natural fungicide. The easiest solution? Sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon on the soil and plant stems.
Invasive Methods of Removing Mold
Repotting Your Plant
If you decide that the outbreak warrants repotting your plant, make sure you use fresh soil and a new pot.
If you plan on reusing your existing plastic or ceramic container, clean it carefully with water and bleach. If you have a terracotta clay pot, replace it with a new one.
Spray your plant's stems with a natural fungicide, such as neem oil (which you can buy pre-diluted or dilute yourself).
Remember, all dirt contains mold spores! In addition to repotting, you will also have to change the plant's location or your watering habits to prevent mold from regrowing on the soil in the future.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Plant Soil:
Here are some ideas that will help deter molds and promote healthy plants.
Molds on the soil of plants may be harmless to plants, and mostly people, but it is still unsightly. Even more important, depending on the plants you grow, molds may indicate a need to change your plant management methods.
Are your plants healthy? OR are Drooping yellowing leaves a problem for some of your plants with moldy soil?
Plant Management Methods to Deter Molds:
Are you overwatering? Molds grow well on constantly moist soils with poor drainage. Most houseplants do not like constantly wet soils. On our site, we have a great guide on how to properly water your houseplants.
Does your plant pot have a good drainage system? Use only well-draining pots to prevent the soil from holding too much water and attracting molds.
Do you top water all the time? This keeps the topsoil constantly wet attracting mold spores (and fungus gnats too). Try bottom watering instead.
Heavy plant foliage overhanging the pot eliminates airflow to the soil. Molds love warm wet stagnant places. Try pruning the bottom foliage back to allow air and light to your soil, if possible.
Low light conditions make soils more likely to mold. Molds love dark or dim places. Try moving the plant into a brighter location.
Stagnant air encourages mold growth on plant soils. More airflow around the plant pot will allow the topsoil to dry and discourage mold spores from settling into your soils. Add a small fan to your plant room.
Molds love organic-rich materials like wood bark which is often used in soil mixes and for growing mediums for aroids like orchids. Replant into a less organic rich soil mix to deter molds.
Misting soil wets the top of the plant soil, keeps it wet, and attracts molds. Avoid misting your plants too frequently.
Wipe the leaves occasionally to clean off mold spores. Mold spores travel through the air and often settle onto the top of plant leaves. Occasionally using a wet paper towel to wipe your plant leaves can greatly reduce mold growth.
Avoid Heavy dense soil mixes that trap and hold water. Using extra perlite is a great way to add air into your soil.
If your plant is full of mold, Repot your plant into light sterile soil.
Remove dead leaves so they don’t rot into the soil. Dead matter attracts decomposers like molds.
Peroxide Soil Care and Treatment Help
• Mix one part of additive-free 3% hydrogen peroxide with ten parts water.
• Water infected plants thoroughly. The soil will bubble as the oxygen is released.
Removing the Top Layer of Soil
Start by taking the proper precautions for your health by wearing a mask during the procedure. Secondly, take a spoon and remove the top 2 inches of soil. Thirdly, take a moist cloth and wipe down any mold residue that is on the plant stems. And, lastly, treat your plant with a natural fungicide. The easiest solution? Sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon on the soil and plant stems.
Invasive Methods of Removing Mold
Repotting Your Plant
If you decide that the outbreak warrants repotting your plant, make sure you use fresh soil and a new pot.
If you plan on reusing your existing plastic or ceramic container, clean it carefully with water and bleach. If you have a terracotta clay pot, replace it with a new one.
Spray your plant's stems with a natural fungicide, such as neem oil (which you can buy pre-diluted or dilute yourself).
Remember, all dirt contains mold spores! In addition to repotting, you will also have to change the plant's location or your watering habits to prevent mold from regrowing on the soil in the future.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Plant Soil:
Here are some ideas that will help deter molds and promote healthy plants.
Molds on the soil of plants may be harmless to plants, and mostly people, but it is still unsightly. Even more important, depending on the plants you grow, molds may indicate a need to change your plant management methods.
Are your plants healthy? OR are Drooping yellowing leaves a problem for some of your plants with moldy soil?
Plant Management Methods to Deter Molds:
Are you overwatering? Molds grow well on constantly moist soils with poor drainage. Most houseplants do not like constantly wet soils. On our site, we have a great guide on how to properly water your houseplants.
Does your plant pot have a good drainage system? Use only well-draining pots to prevent the soil from holding too much water and attracting molds.
Do you top water all the time? This keeps the topsoil constantly wet attracting mold spores (and fungus gnats too). Try bottom watering instead.
Heavy plant foliage overhanging the pot eliminates airflow to the soil. Molds love warm wet stagnant places. Try pruning the bottom foliage back to allow air and light to your soil, if possible.
Low light conditions make soils more likely to mold. Molds love dark or dim places. Try moving the plant into a brighter location.
Stagnant air encourages mold growth on plant soils. More airflow around the plant pot will allow the topsoil to dry and discourage mold spores from settling into your soils. Add a small fan to your plant room.
Molds love organic-rich materials like wood bark which is often used in soil mixes and for growing mediums for aroids like orchids. Replant into a less organic rich soil mix to deter molds.
Misting soil wets the top of the plant soil, keeps it wet, and attracts molds. Avoid misting your plants too frequently.
Wipe the leaves occasionally to clean off mold spores. Mold spores travel through the air and often settle onto the top of plant leaves. Occasionally using a wet paper towel to wipe your plant leaves can greatly reduce mold growth.
Avoid Heavy dense soil mixes that trap and hold water. Using extra perlite is a great way to add air into your soil.
If your plant is full of mold, Repot your plant into light sterile soil.
Remove dead leaves so they don’t rot into the soil. Dead matter attracts decomposers like molds.
Peroxide Soil Care and Treatment Help
• Mix one part of additive-free 3% hydrogen peroxide with ten parts water.
• Water infected plants thoroughly. The soil will bubble as the oxygen is released.
Hey Caroline ☺️
Airflow helps keep mold at bay by not letting the spores settle on the dirt. I would suggest putting a fan on in the room, or a small one nearby, to help with airflow. Try not to put it too powerfully directed onto the foliage though, since they like moisture, too much wind too close might begin to dry out the leaves.
For now, you could mix 1 part 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 part water, and spray the mold to get rid of it, or simply scrape it away.
Bottom watering may also help reduce the high moisture level on top of the soil. 🤗 Goodluck!
Airflow helps keep mold at bay by not letting the spores settle on the dirt. I would suggest putting a fan on in the room, or a small one nearby, to help with airflow. Try not to put it too powerfully directed onto the foliage though, since they like moisture, too much wind too close might begin to dry out the leaves.
For now, you could mix 1 part 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 part water, and spray the mold to get rid of it, or simply scrape it away.
Bottom watering may also help reduce the high moisture level on top of the soil. 🤗 Goodluck!
@PlantingPeace @KikiGoldblatt wow so much very helpful info! I did indeed scrape off the top layer but most likely the hydrogen peroxide would help out alot more. I did find a more natural mix for when id need to repot but ill also have to find a little fan which im sure isnt hard lol.I'm just loving this group/app so many helpful people and a whole lot of info. Thank you guys for helping me on this journey looking forward to growing with yall🖤🌱