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Post by bestes on Apr 5, 2007 19:40:45 GMT
I use the standard 50:50 peat moss/sand mixture, and am battling a powdery like mold all over the surface. When I water from the top this stuff actually floats. I used a Neem oil spray in an attempt to control it because someone told me that it wouldn't harm the CP's. I wonder though because the spray gets all over the plants, and I am finding it necessary to spray ever couple of weeks. Anybody have a better way that is safe to use?
Thanks, Brian
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Post by Not a Number on Apr 5, 2007 21:45:28 GMT
You might want to try spraying a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide - just the standard 3% solution you can buy off the shelf. Spray the peat rather heavily so the solution soaks in. The hydrogen peroxide will break down to H20 and O2 within a few hours so not to worry.
A top dressing of live Sphagnum or dried long fiber sphagnum (finely milled or otherwise) should help prevent recurrence of the mold/fungus.
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Post by rsivertsen on Apr 5, 2007 22:12:59 GMT
I use cedar bark mulch to top some of my plants, and let the surface go dry; it seems to keep the weeds, mosses, molds and mildew under control.
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Post by bestes on Apr 5, 2007 23:20:41 GMT
Thanks for the H2O2 suggestion. I actually did think of this because I know it is a good disinfectant, but I dismissed the idea because I was afraid of what it would do to the plants. I have dozens of very small Droseras in 2" pots, and it would be nearly impossible to not get the spray all over these tiny little plants. Does anybody know if peroxide would damage the plant cells? And covering the peat with anything short of fine sand would end up covering the plants up. I did try the fine sand idea but this ended up sticking to all the tentacles and created a mess of its own. If nobody knows I think I will just try it on a few plants and see what happens.
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Clint
Full Member
Posts: 808
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Post by Clint on Apr 5, 2007 23:28:48 GMT
Well, when I had a planted aquarium I would sometimes spot treat certain algaes with it. Their tissue is more permeable that that of our CP'S. I think I used like a capful per 10 gallons. Or maybe it was 20 gallons. Anyway, it didn't hurt my plants, but it did kill an Ottocinclus  |
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Post by Not a Number on Apr 5, 2007 23:34:51 GMT
Dilute at least 2 to 1, more if you don't feel comfortable. You can always use a small watercolor brush and dab the solution on, which is what I do if the 'fuzz' is localized.
Some molds/fungi will visibly react with the H202 and 'fizz' and vanish before your eyes which is gratifying from the instant feedback.
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Post by pinglover on Apr 6, 2007 2:17:43 GMT
Agreed. Never saw anyone mention the instant gratification when they fizzle before one's eyes before. It does make one's heart leap with joy. At least mine does.
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jpcuy
Full Member
Posts: 16
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Post by jpcuy on Apr 13, 2007 19:46:55 GMT
Agreed. Never saw anyone mention the instant gratification when they fizzle before one's eyes before. It does make one's heart leap with joy. At least mine does. That's what I need .. I've had some "white stuff" near a pair of seedlings .. I was using benomyl but I'll try H2O2 .. I want to experiment your sensation !! .. ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by taywf1234 on Jul 18, 2007 12:20:47 GMT
Will H2O2 destroy most algaes or just this mysterious "white" organism?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2007 21:10:36 GMT
i always just use hydrogen peroxide which i do believe is h202 hence hydrogen per oxide lol...but yeah it seems to kill the mold just fine for
me
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Post by sadsoul on Jul 18, 2007 22:51:57 GMT
Its the lights , let the peat dry a little , it won't hurt the plants unless its fungus , but the same happens with aquariums that get to much sun light direct , put a glass of water next to your plants at the same height and you'll see..........the same alage grow.
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Post by jonnyq on Aug 21, 2008 20:30:30 GMT
You might want to try spraying a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide - just the standard 3% solution you can buy off the shelf. Spray the peat rather heavily so the solution soaks in. The hydrogen peroxide will break down to H20 and O2 within a few hours so not to worry. A top dressing of live Sphagnum or dried long fiber sphagnum (finely milled or otherwise) should help prevent recurrence of the mold/fungus. Will a dilute hydrogen peroxide spray potentially harm germinating seeds or young seedlings? I'm wondering if dabbing germinating seeds with the H2O2 might be safer for the nearby seedlings than spraying the entire planter...? |
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Post by Not a Number on Aug 22, 2008 17:14:44 GMT
I really don't know. I've used spray on mature plants, never seedlings. The hydrogen peroxide will quickly break down into water and O2. If it is dilute enough it shouldn't harm the seeds or seedlings.
The strongest concentration I will use is 1 part 3% Hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts water. I'd try 1:3 or 1:4 to start off with.
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Post by Aidan on Aug 22, 2008 18:41:46 GMT
It is not uncommon to see a rash of fungal growth on the surface of fresh media, but this usually burns itself out and disappears after a few weeks. If the problem is persistent then it will be a function of the growing conditions. Until conditions are changed, any form of treatment is likely to be a temporary solution at best.
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Post by Michael Catalani on Aug 22, 2008 23:52:44 GMT
Many times fresh media will see an outbreak of powdery mildew, which appears as "fuzzy white stuff." Powdery mildew prefers high humiity, but slightly drier conditions on which to grow upon. It loves growing on top of peat, as the top portion of peat can be somewhat dry. It will hit sphagnum moss on the tips that rise above the rest of the moss level, or on the tips of moss that overhangs a pot, which can cause substantial drying of that portion of moss.
Powdery mildew hates getting wet. Simply misting the area it grows in with water a few times per day will get rid of it, and give you the satisfaction of knowing that you are annoying it to death.
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