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.)

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.

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!

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.

Thanks! I do not use live sphagnum, just a brick of dried moss that I rehydrate it before mounting an orchid.

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.

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.

Extreme algae growth is often tied to over-feeding.

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.

The simple fact is that any time you have water + light + nutrition, there will be algae.