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Yesterday I learned that it’s not always minerals on the outside of… | Anything about plants | Planta community

Bigredamazon

Yesterday I learned that it’s not always minerals on the outside of my terra cotta pots, it’s mold (if it wipes off easy, it’s mold. If not, crust). I sprayed the outside of the pots with hydrogen peroxide and scrubbed to clean them up. Didn’t have to remove the plants. So I realized I needed a fan for the room (since the nearby vents are closed to force cold air upstairs) and the babies are far away from the ceiling fan. Also, I’ve been overwatering a tad. Perhaps I’ll pick up some tampons tomorrow cause I go a few weeks without watering, or is that normal? I’ve got a moisture meter and I do the knitting needle trick that Tanner the Planter does. I do have a grow light on one group and I have been opening the shades so they get some extra light. Picture of my Monstera Deliciosa, General Leia Organa, Franklin the orchid, and Francine the parlor palm for tax.

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6 comments

  1. Rhonda

    Interesting! Took me a few tries to find the video where he actually explained it. But I got there. Gonna give this a try. I especially liked his explanation for how far to probe fir different plants.

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    • Bigredamazon

      It’s been helpful.

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  2. Mullein

    What hold up. Are the tampons for when you overwater? Does it reabsorb water from the soil?? 😱 I hear ya on the mold. It’s so frustrating when molds or other funguses take up camp in your plants. I get it’s natural but I don’t want my house to be a petri dish of spores (any more that it already is I suppose) 😅 But also because it usually indicates a larger issue with humidity. If you don’t already have a hygrometer, it’s good to try to make sure your house is below 60% relative humidity. I’m struggling so hard with humidity this summer. We don’t have central AC and I definitely don’t want an AC directly on my plants, since some can be very sensitive to dry drafts. But my jade has a mushroom growing out of it! I water that plant like once a month! 🤪

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    • Bigredamazon

      Yes the tampons are for removing excess water from the soil. I got an oscillating fan for the area since it can get a little stagnant around my babies. It’s too dang hot to open a window.

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    • Mullein

      Oh I will definitely have to try that. So clever That should help ☺️

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    • Rhonda

      I tried it after I saw your post. It worked!

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