Yuck! Moldy Soil
Noticed this soil has been staying really wet so pulled it out to take a look and found this. It’s green with spore looking spots and fuzzy in some areas. Gross! It’s the same pot and soil I got it in. The plant is thriving despite it, but obviously I want to get rid of this ASAP and plan to repot.
Any fern experts or anyone else who can weigh in on what you’d do? I’m not sure what kind of soil they prefer or if I should also treat the roots.
#FernFriends #BirdsNestFern #help soil">#moldysoil
Any fern experts or anyone else who can weigh in on what you’d do? I’m not sure what kind of soil they prefer or if I should also treat the roots.
#FernFriends #BirdsNestFern #help soil">#moldysoil
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
7
Best Answer
Yick!
Once you've removed all the old soil from the roots give them a rinse in diluted hydrogen peroxide (4 to 1 with water) just in case.
I don't know much about ferns specifically but I do know that the two I have like to stay moist, but not soggy per se, all the time. I ended up putting my heart leaf fern in a self watering pot with a wick system to keep it happy and its worked for me so far. I have it planted in Miracle Grow's regular potting soil.
Hope this helps, and glad the ant hasn't been impacted yet!
Once you've removed all the old soil from the roots give them a rinse in diluted hydrogen peroxide (4 to 1 with water) just in case.
I don't know much about ferns specifically but I do know that the two I have like to stay moist, but not soggy per se, all the time. I ended up putting my heart leaf fern in a self watering pot with a wick system to keep it happy and its worked for me so far. I have it planted in Miracle Grow's regular potting soil.
Hope this helps, and glad the ant hasn't been impacted yet!
@tmbryant37 thank you! I’m realizing a few plants that came from costa farms which are often sold at Walmart and Home Depot have this same soil that stays really wet. I have a struggling calathea with the same soil (no mold thankfully!) so am going to repot them both and hope it helps. I read to try regular soil, perlite, and some orchid bark. Definitely a fine line between moist and too much water! Good call on the peroxide, I’ll do that thanks!
@tmbryant37 your philo moonlight is amazing!! I just got one in a 4” pot so it’s small but yours encourages me about what it can become!
Every plant I've bought from Lowe's and Walmart that were grown by Costa are planted in what seems like pure peat moss. It holds A LOT of water and bogs down the plants so I invariably repot them soon after I buy them.
The mixture you read about sounds fine for a fern, or most plants really, because it will drain while still holding in some moisture for the plant.
After you clean it up and repot it give it a drink and then check it in about 3 or 4 days to see how wet the soil is. The fern is gonna like damp sponge level moisture like it feels after you wring it out.
After that you just wait and see, but I'm sure it'll be just fine in your care!
The mixture you read about sounds fine for a fern, or most plants really, because it will drain while still holding in some moisture for the plant.
After you clean it up and repot it give it a drink and then check it in about 3 or 4 days to see how wet the soil is. The fern is gonna like damp sponge level moisture like it feels after you wring it out.
After that you just wait and see, but I'm sure it'll be just fine in your care!
@tmbryant37 oh NOW you tell me! 🤣🙃 I had never realized it was the whole pot and thought they just topped it. Great advice, taking that on today.
And thanks on the moonlight name, I loved it too! Just came to me lol
And thanks on the moonlight name, I loved it too! Just came to me lol