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minal_gw

White Mold/Fungus on violet soil

shabbu
14 years ago

Hello, I live in Buffalo, NY and suddenly the temp. went down 10 degrees. After that I noticed, white fluffy mold or fungus growing on the surface of the soil. It is not powdery stuff, but white stuff we usually see on rotten food.

My plants are fine, nothing on leaves or buds. But should I be worried about stuff growing on my soil? Any suggestions on how to get rid of this stuff. I have already re-potted the plants a few months ago. These are all on my adult violets.

thanks, any suggestions appreciated.

MP

Comments (10)

  • bspofford
    14 years ago

    I have occasionally experienced this gray-white mold growth also, usually in conditions where I wouldn't be surprised to see powdery mildew. I treated it by lifting the leaves and spraying the 'mold' with Lysol spray. Seems to work...

    Barbara

  • shabbu
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thanks for the replies. I have Cinnamon and also Lysol spray. I will cut down on watering and grind some cinnamon. If that doesnt work, then will try Lysol :)
    Minal.

  • lathyrus_odoratus
    14 years ago

    Yeah, I keep forgetting that Lysol works. I don't keep any in the house, but I do use the cinnamon from time to time. Not sure how well it works (I dip cut edges into it to help prevent rot).

  • okie_deb
    14 years ago

    Lysol spray won't hurt the AV's even if you were to water from the top and it ran through the soil later??
    I sometimes get some of this white mold on spagnum moss I root or grow Hoya's in inside terrariums. I usually just rub my finger across it and it disappears. Just wanting to know if the Lysol is in any way harmful to the plants.
    Thanks for any info!,,,,Debbie

  • lathyrus_odoratus
    14 years ago

    Debbie, I don't think so....but someone who's used it will know more than I do. I've just read about it multiple times (and keep forgetting that I've read about it!)

  • bspofford
    14 years ago

    Debbie,

    The Lysol spray will not harm your leaves if used correctly. It will, however, mar the blossoms if it gets on them.

    For this 'mold', lift the leaves and spray from as close as you can get with the spray. You will have to move around the pot, doing a little area at a time, and spray onto the mold.

    You can also use Lysol if you had powdery mildew; you can spray from about 12 inches above the plant and let the mist settle down onto the plant. This is to avoid the cold spray from marking the leaves. I also will sometimes spray into a very small container so I have the liquid, and 'paint' it onto the affected leaf with a q-tip. This seems to work a little better for a small area.

    If you had any kind of a syringe, you could also use this method to spray the mold on the top of the soil, being sure all of it is covered by the liquid.

    Cinnamon? If it is to prevent rot, this isn't necessarily a rot situation. I'd be more inclined to go with the Lysol.

    Barbara

  • okie_deb
    14 years ago

    Only 1 problem wit using Lysol with me,,,it effects my lungs for some reason and takes my breath away. Don't know why but learned it does this back when I worked in a small office and they sprayed it to avoid germs during cold season. It's almost like it locks my lungs,,,strange! Anybody ever experienced this with a product of any kind??
    If my husband sprayed it outside into a small container to get the liquid maybe I could do the Q-tip method though.,,,,Debbie

  • phoebesviolets
    14 years ago

    Lysol causes my lungs to have a burning sensation, even if I just breathe in the residual fumes. I use OTC neem oil products--quite effective and non-toxic. You could apply it just the same way Barbara applies the lysol.

  • Judy Rose McMillan
    6 years ago

    I have asthma maybe you do too! That's what happens to me I have to use a mask when I spray anything any fumes from a spray bothers me.