Re: Mold

Adrian Arnold (arnold@bigb.win-uk.net)
Wed, 03 Jul 1996 11:59:40

Hello, All,

An interesting problem here. I used to have a similar problem
which started with the surface of my peat moss/sand mix becoming
a virrulent green shade - presumably an algal growth. After a
while, some areas would start growing small rings of fungus which
would usually spread fairly rapidly. If there happened to be any
plants growing in the green areas, once the fungus got there, the
plants would die but until then did not apprear to suffer.

It seems that fungus will only grow on dead or nearly dead organic
material (presumably killing off stuff in the process too) so your
mould must be growing on -something- so if you can get rid of the
-something- you should be better off. The only question is - how.
My guess is that you should try changing the pH of your medium
somehow, like changing your water source or acidifying it slightly?

I have tried using top watering using a medium spray in some cases
and this appears to help - perhaps by washing some of the unwanted
dead/dying material into the peat and perhaps by tending to upset
the growth of the mould (normally prefer static humid conditions
for adequate mycelium growth - just what you get with normal CP
growth conditions).

In any case, it's worth experimenting if the alternative is as
terminal as you seem to suggest:-)

HTH.

Regards, Adrian Arnold.

>Well.. actually.. the mold only grows on the peat moss.. or as for my
>cultivation of sphagnum moss is concerned, on the moss....
>
>I am very flustered... I am not sure what could be happening...
>all the conditions seem right.. but the mold persists.. arg!!
>