Is this algae growing in my coco/perlite?

Mo9000

Active Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #1

I've recently noticed pieces of perlite in my pot taking on a stained green colour, I'm wondering if this is algae beginning to grow in my medium, any help is much appreciated.

 

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #2

you're watering too often. let your pots dry out more between waterings.
let them dry out really well, then feel how heavy the pots are. you want them to get pretty light before you water again, maybe a 1/3rd of the weight they are after a watering

 

Mo9000

Active Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #3

Thanks for the quick reply. I have been letting it dry out pretty well before watering though, usually watering every 3 or 4 days at the moment, until the top inch or so is dry and the pot feels light, my drainage is also really good, are you sure its algae?

 

chemphlegm

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #4

top inch or so is the only place that doesnt matter how wet it is.
if you're growing in dirt/peat you'll want to wait until the container is light, like it was filled with dry material, then water.
anyways, that is algae for sure, it loves the same things you feed your plant including light.

 

Mo9000

Active Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #5

chemphlegm said:

top inch or so is the only place that doesnt matter how wet it is.
if you're growing in dirt/peat you'll want to wait until the container is light, like it was filled with dry material, then water.
anyways, that is algae for sure, it loves the same things you feed your plant including light.

Click to expand...

Ok cool, thanks man. Do you think the algae that is present will go away once I sort out my watering schedule?

 

chemphlegm

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #6

Mo9000 said:

Ok cool, thanks man. Do you think the algae that is present will go away once I sort out my watering schedule?

Click to expand...

if it can wick some water and find light at the same time it will, but you can fold it under, water from one side and not the middle, water all at once and not again until substrate is dry and light before plant wilts, and the algae will slow. its not a deal breaker, mostly looks like shit, but then it gets to your roots and that stinks.

whats under your perlite?

 

Kingrow1

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #7

You can erradicate it by tilling the soil to half an inch after watering.

Algae is such a wide ranging word, they are a species of soil Trichoderma, they harness energy from light and nutrients from the soil so live at the surface