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Does anyone know what this white stuff is in my potting soil? I know… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Anya

Does anyone know what this white stuff is in my potting soil? I know this plant needs to be repotted so maybe it doesn’t have enough airflow and this is fungus? Please let me know if you have any ideas! They are white and irregular shaped, and only towards the bottom half of the soil. I don’t think it’s perlite. Tysmm

2 likes 10 comments

10 comments

  1. Fern <3

    It might be mold from overwatering. Changing the soil should help get rid of it- my peace Lily had it. Tried to scrape it off but it didn’t go away until I changed the soil.

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    • Anya

      I don’t think I’m overwatering (I water every two-three weeks when the soil has been bone dry for a few days) but the soil could definitely be a more chunky mix so that might be the cause. Thanks!

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  2. Roundshouse Plants

    It may just be dust in the pearlite that comes premixed into the soil. It allows for drainage so the roots don't get wet feet. If you had that much fungus, if imagine you'd be able to smell it and the soil looks pretty dry. Typically, over watered soil will get fungus. My daughter has a pet rabbit that is free roaming in her room. Her plants are always covered in bunny hair. 🙄 They look like they are covered in webs, but it's just hair!

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    • Anya

      Stooop that is too funny

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  3. Anya

    Sorry the photo I uploaded isn’t great quality but I think they might be root mealy bugs :/ ugh whenever my plant gets a pest I am just so tempted to give up on all of them!! 😭 it’s totally possible that it’s just perlite or mild fungus tho.. the solution: repot, treat, and fresh soil 😌 thanks so much everyone

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  4. Danika

    Are the white bits squishy or soft? Or hard? It almost looks like tiny mushrooms growing off the ends of mycelium. Or some kind of sprouted organism off the ends of roots. Need a better closer photo. If it is mushrooms (as opposed to mold) that would be a good thing since myco and mushrooms are very beneficial to plants. They have a symbiotic relationship. I add mycophylium spore powder to all of my plants to gain the benefits.

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    • Anya

      They are soft and easily squished. I hope they’re just mushrooms! Here are two more photos.

      Attachment 1 of 1
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    • Anya
      Attachment 1 of 1
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  5. Danika
    Attachment 1 of 1
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    • Anya

      They don’t seem concentrated enough around the roots to be root mealy bugs but I’m really not sure.

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