Cleaning/Maintenance

[kmccormic]

Hi Guys!

I have my first semi-hydro plant going now. It's got a little white mold on the roots so far, but I'm of the understanding this is normal and should sort itself out and I should leave it alone. For now, my goal is to flush it with tap water 3-4 times a week for the first month or so, then once a week as I do a serious watering and fertilizing for my collection.

I thought I'd ask the forum for how you usually do ongoing maintenance. I have it in a clear container so I can monitor the roots or any new root development. I'd like to be able to continue to at least partially see through the walls for that reason. I'd heard some people do physan up to once a month, but is that really necessary, and at what strength? Do people only use physan? Do some unpot their plants and treat the potting materials from time to time? If I did, I'd take the opportunity to trim out roots that didn't make it in my semi-hydro environment.

Cheers,
Kara

[Ray]

As you're using a clear pot, the combination of light + water + nitrogen = algae.

The periodic Physan treatment can keep algae at bay. It is nothing more than an aesthetic issue, and I keep it at bay by not overdosing my fertilizer concentration.