Black mold amongst algae?

[ALToronto]

I was expecting green algae to grow on the sunny side of my s/h pots, and it does. However, I just looked at one of the pots, closest to the window, and just where the LECA spheres are touching the wall of the pot, there are circles of black among the green algae.

I fear that this is mold, and if so, what do I do?

[Bud]

once a month you must flush the pot in strong flowing water in the sink to remove waste debris from the plant and also clean the clay....
I let the faucet run full throttle for a couple of minutes until the spheres are clean

[WhiteRabbit]

Yes, that's very likely to also be algae

[ALToronto]

Thanks for the replies. So should I boil the LECA to disinfect it and start over, this time being more diligent with flushing? Or is boiling not enough?

[Bud]

flush not boil....if you do the flushing regularly once a month then your algae problem will not exist....boiling the LECA will not get rid of algae and moss formation....they will always reappear if you do not flush once a month because the LECA is immersed in water

* removing the clay to boil it will also detangle the roots from any clay it is attached=you want to clean the LECA as much as you want but not disturb the roots

[RosieC]

I get this, but as suggested above just flush a lot of water through occasionally. I wouldn't take remove the lecca to wash it as on some of mine disturbing the roots has upset them, best to leave them in place.

[katrina]

Flushing the pot regularly will not stop algae. If the plant is getting enough light to do well inevitably you will see algae growth in your s/h pots. I get it in all my clear pots.

High moisture + good light + nutrients = algae...it's a very natural process and not the slightest bit harmful to the plants.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by ALToronto

I was expecting green algae to grow on the sunny side of my s/h pots, and it does. However, I just looked at one of the pots, closest to the window, and just where the LECA spheres are touching the wall of the pot, there are circles of black among the green algae.

I fear that this is mold, and if so, what do I do?

Al,
I have lots of algae in my clear pots too. The color is usually a very dark green, approaching black. Honestly, I don't think black mold will grow in the light and algae should usually outcompete mold for space, especially in conditions where light reaches any given area.

[RosieC]

Yeah, I never aim to get rid of it completely. I just flush well occasionally to remove any loose stuff but those in lecca always have green in the pot if they are in the light.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by katrina

Flushing the pot regularly will not stop algae. If the plant is getting enough light to do well inevitably you will see algae growth in your s/h pots. I get it in all my clear pots.

High moisture + good light + nutrients = algae...it's a very natural process and not the slightest bit harmful to the plants.

BINGO!!!