So a few of my plants have started to get this white stuff on the dirt, it almost looks like mold. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I was planning to repot them with fresh dirt if I can’t get it cleared up but figured I’d check here first to see if anyone knows how to fix it without having to repot them. Thanks😊
It could be mineral build up, it tends to come up on the surface for a number of reasons and it's the reason why terracotta pots also get white over time!
2 likesIt could be mineral buildup but more likely it is some type of mold. Slime mold or something else. Just let your soil dry down. If you really don't like it you can carefully scrape off the top layer. I suppose you could just cover it with a light layer of soil also as long as you let the pot dry down.
1 like Thank you so much, I’ve had some pest problems with mealy bugs and scales so I was worried it was another kind of pest, but I will definitely try letting it dry out a bit
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It’s fungus/mold if it’s powdery. The spores are in the soil and the air. It’s not harmful. They thrive on continuously wet soil. Scraping it off clears it off the top. More spores are likely in the soil. Treat with a commercial fungicide. Some nurseries bake the soil to destroy everything that could harm the plant. I’ve steamed (Chinese style) and stir fried small quantities of suspect potting soil outside. I use an old pot reserved for gardening use. You can pour hot water on the soil too. 🍀🪴
3 likesGood suggestions by Sunny, but I want to clarify one point you pour the hot water on the soil before you use it to plant. I think if the water is hot enough to kill the mold it is too hot for the plant roots. I suspect that's what you meant anyways.
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