Mold in Soil
Okay, I've asked this same question before in the "what doesn't fit elsewhere" forum, but due to the fact no one replied, plus its more of a container gardening question, I'm going to ask it here. I've noticed that in soil mixtures where I use a bark mulch (specificaly orchid bark), a white mold forms on some of the bark pecies. I use this soil mixture for cycads, which are fungi-prone. So my question is, is this fungi harmless or harmful, and if it is bad, how do I get rid of it?
I didn't respond earlier, because I don't know what cycads want or need.
I also don't know about "bad" or "good" w/regard to the white mold in wood-based mulch/chips.
It is quite normal, however. I put down chip mulch earlier this year (March/April) in my roses, and today, when I pruned them, I raked up all fallen leaves and all mulch. I'm going to treat with sulfur for rust, black spot ... all the fun rose diseases mine seem to attract so well.
I wanted the soil to be bare so there wouldn't be any hidden nooks and crannies for the spores to hide.
There was a ton of white mold in and around the mulch chips. I was very pleased that I didn't even get a headache (migraine) from pulling up the few weeds that had grown up through the mulch.
I used a rake, of course, to get it all off the ground.
I know this doesn't answer the "bad" vs. "good" aspect, but this is my experience. I also see white molds, among others, in my compost whenever I turn it. It doesn't worry me.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
I also don't know about "bad" or "good" w/regard to the white mold in wood-based mulch/chips.
It is quite normal, however. I put down chip mulch earlier this year (March/April) in my roses, and today, when I pruned them, I raked up all fallen leaves and all mulch. I'm going to treat with sulfur for rust, black spot ... all the fun rose diseases mine seem to attract so well.
I wanted the soil to be bare so there wouldn't be any hidden nooks and crannies for the spores to hide.
There was a ton of white mold in and around the mulch chips. I was very pleased that I didn't even get a headache (migraine) from pulling up the few weeds that had grown up through the mulch.
I used a rake, of course, to get it all off the ground.
I know this doesn't answer the "bad" vs. "good" aspect, but this is my experience. I also see white molds, among others, in my compost whenever I turn it. It doesn't worry me.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
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FredDuggan
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bonsaiboy,
Actually mycorrhizae are beneficial and bonsai are even deliberately inoculated although often it arises spontaneously. Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. Now I can't say with any certainty what species of fungi you have in your pots but if your plants are healthy otherwise I don't think I would worry about it. Here are a few places to begin your research.
https://www.tandjenterprises.com/MR-colin_lewis_bonsai.htm
https://www.bonsaikc.com/bonsai_soil.htm
On the second one scroll down and click on the thumbnail to see an excellent example of a potted plant colonized by mycorrhizae
Norm
Actually mycorrhizae are beneficial and bonsai are even deliberately inoculated although often it arises spontaneously. Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. Now I can't say with any certainty what species of fungi you have in your pots but if your plants are healthy otherwise I don't think I would worry about it. Here are a few places to begin your research.
https://www.tandjenterprises.com/MR-colin_lewis_bonsai.htm
https://www.bonsaikc.com/bonsai_soil.htm
On the second one scroll down and click on the thumbnail to see an excellent example of a potted plant colonized by mycorrhizae
Norm