Re: White "mold" or fungus?? on soil and base of t

23-Jan-2002

Tony

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Join Date: Jan-2002

Country: USA

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Re: White "mold" or fungus?? on soil and base of t

Quote:

I just fertilized most of my trees using a 1/2 strength 4-4-4 fertilizer. I had also given them a weak shot of Superthrive about 2 weeks before that (2 drops in a gallon of water).

Now I am getting white fuzzy stuff on the surface of the soil and some at the base of the trees. I also have a rock planted Shefflera that has some of the stuff even on the rock. I need to know if this is harmful and if so, what can I do to get rid of it? I have read elsewhere that if you fertilize and there is too much nitrogen and the soil is damp, no air moving or evaporation, that you can get some fungus growing in the soil.

What can I do to deal with this??

Jess

You've pretty much answered your own question. More light more air circulation and making sure the soil doesn't stay wet will help keep the mold and fungus away. There are also fungicides available that you can spray on the soil surface.

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24-Jan-2002	#2
jhill He who listens Join Date: Jan-2002 Location: Ohio Country: USA USDA Zone: 6 AHS Heat Zone: 5 Posts: 571	Re: White "mold" or fungus?? on soil and base of t Hi Jess, I too had that problem with my indoor trees. I use a fan that is constantly blowing on my trees and that did the trick. I'm sure you let your water (if coming from the tap) stand for a day or so before you use to water?? Hope this helps. John __________________ You can't see where you're going if You don't know where you've been http://www.BonsaiBeginnings.org

17-Feb-2002	#3
denny Please Correct Your Email Address Join Date: Sep-2001 Location: SanBernardino Country: USA USDA Zone: zone 9 AHS Heat Zone: 8 9 Posts: 340	Re: White "mold" or fungus?? on soil and base of t my fungus is yellow and forms around the drainage hole as well. what about that,same deal? __________________ Denny Still Growing in zone 9 So.Cal.

17-Feb-2002	#4
Tony bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman Join Date: Jan-2002 Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 861	Re: White "mold" or fungus?? on soil and base of t Same deal, Denny. It can be a real problem on indoor trees. I wouldn't worry about the dain holes too much, you can just brush it off but you don't want to see it creeping up the trunk. Tony

30-Aug-2006	#5
Nanothebonsai bonsaiTALK Neophyte Join Date: Aug-2006 Location: Midwest Country: USA Posts: 1	mold up the trunk I am seeing the white mold crawl up the trunk. What does that mean? Nano

30-Aug-2006	#6
3069James bonsaiTALK Craftsman Join Date: Nov-2005 Location: nw oh. USDA Zone: 5b AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 84	sure it's just not mineral deposits

31-Aug-2006	#7
Mcspeed bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Mar-2006 Location: West Springfield Massachusetts Country: USA USDA Zone: zone 5 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,198	Mineral deposites take time to build up, if it appeared it's not mineral deposites. Readup on soils and watering teqniques, sounds like a more likely problem area.

1-Sep-2006

ElGringo

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanothebonsai

I am seeing the white mold crawl up the trunk. What does that mean?

Nano

If the trees have just been fertilized, then its probably mineral deposits. Gently scrape it off with an old toothbrush if it looks unsightly. AS you know, the water dissolves minerals in the soil. The bark absorbs the water slightly, sucking from the soil like a sponge. The water evaporates, leaving the minerals behind on the trunk.

The most common fungus you tend see is powdery white mildew on the leaves. I too often see yellow stuff near the drainage holes, again its just minerals that have leached from the soil. If your soil has lots of non-rotted organic stuff in it i.e. small lumps of wood/ fiberous plant matter then that could encourage fungal growth in the soil, especially if you water too much.

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31-Dec-2006	#9
Kuri_Chan bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Dec-2006 Location: Teeside Country: England Posts: 12	I think i have the same problem with my tree (Its a Zanthoxylum pepper tree) but it says to keep it out of draughts. Is there any way to get rid of this surface mould without fungicides like by allowing the compost to dry up or something?

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