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12-23-2020, 10:27 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Zone: 7b
Location: New York City
Age: 36
Posts: 142
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Algae and sphagnum moss?
Hello,
I was wondering if someone can give advice on how to prevent algae growing all over sphagnum moss? It seems no matter if I grow an orchid potted or mounted, inside an air circulated enclosure or out in my living room, algae seems to be a problem. Moss will be nice and tan, but surely enough, a layer of green will start taking over. At first I thought, "well, maybe the moss is coming back to life", but I am doubting this dream.
I have read this can set back a plant and slowly suffocate the roots. What can be done to prevent this from occurring? What treatments can I do once it does? (I have Physan20 on hand, but have not resorted to it yet).
(Happy to provide photos if necessary.)
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12-23-2020, 11:24 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
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I don't think it harms the plants at all. I wouldn't worry about it. If it really bugs you water with chlorinated tap water now and then. That kills some kinds of moss. And don't fertilise more than necessary.
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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12-23-2020, 11:29 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by estación seca
I don't think it harms the plants at all. I wouldn't worry about it. If it really bugs you water with chlorinated tap water now and then. That kills some kinds of moss. And don't fertilise more than necessary.
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Nah, doesn't bug me at all. I actually find the green shade attractive, hah! I was just concerned about the roots not being able to take in nutrients. I fertilize weakly-weekly, for actively growing plants. Or when I remember. Thanks!
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12-23-2020, 11:44 AM
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Those algae are a real problem for live Sphagnum, but they don't hurt the orchids.
You can try putting some humid moss in a seal-able cooking bag for it to come back to life. Unfortunately some brands heat treat their Sphagnum so it's unlikely to grow.
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12-23-2020, 11:55 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename
Those algae are a real problem for live Sphagnum, but they don't hurt the orchids.
You can try putting some humid moss in a seal-able cooking bag for it to come back to life. Unfortunately some brands heat treat their Sphagnum so it's unlikely to grow.
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Thanks! I do not use live sphagnum, just a brick of dried moss that I rehydrate it before mounting an orchid.
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12-23-2020, 12:12 PM
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Algae wont hurt the roots. However, i don't like the slimy layer that builds up on sphag under lights so I usually top dress with a thin layer of orchiata bark.
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12-23-2020, 12:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clawhammer
Algae wont hurt the roots. However, i don't like the slimy layer that builds up on sphag under lights so I usually top dress with a thin layer of orchiata bark.
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Aha! Interesting, I have noticed the green layer appears more rapidly on my orchids under LED lights. I suppose if lights make my orchids grow strong & super well, it'd do the same for algae! Never put two and two together.
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12-24-2020, 09:57 AM
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Extreme algae growth is often tied to over-feeding.
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12-24-2020, 10:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray
Extreme algae growth is often tied to over-feeding.
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I wouldn't call it "extreme" but it is definitely there on the moss. Nothing on the roots or orchid itself.
I don't feed that often, usually weakly weekly in warmer weather or whatever is appropriate for the orchid itself - currently in cold winter, weakly biweekly or so, since I have plenty of active growth under my LEDs. I also use KelpMax once a month.
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12-24-2020, 11:18 AM
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The simple fact is that any time you have water + light + nutrition, there will be algae.
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