Good afternoon, my reader. Often the potting soil is affected by a fungal infection, manifested by the appearance of mold spots - black or white, due to unfavorable conditions or poor maintenance. It is necessary to quickly solve this problem, since mold can not only destroy the plant, but also often causes an allergic reaction in people.
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Danger of mold for plants
A fungus that leads to the formation of mold can appear not only in damp basements, but also in apartments. It is especially common for spores to grow in flower pots where a warm and humid environment is created.
The danger to plants lies in the disruption of soil air exchange due to the formation of a dense crust on the surface. Shoots and leaves gradually dry out, as the fungus reduces the quality of the soil. The plant is deficient in nutrient compounds. Due to excessive moisture, rotting of the root system is observed. Plant rescue measures should be taken at the first sign of trouble.
The causes of mold
In order to quickly eliminate mold, it is important to establish the main factors that contribute to the development of spores in the flower pot.
The reasons for the formation of mold:
- Excess moisture. Excessive waterlogging of the soil, resulting from uncontrolled watering, becomes a favorable environment for the development of various types of mold.
- Poor drainage. The soil loses its porosity, becomes compacted, acquires excessive moisture in the absence of a drainage pad or clogging of the holes in the bottom of the pot with soil.
- Excessive air humidity. It occurs more often when the temperature drops and there is no heating. Under such conditions, the evaporation of moisture from the soil substrate slows down.
- Poor quality soil. Mold spores often end up in the pot when using contaminated soil.
Mold Removal Methods
With a systematic examination of indoor plants, it is possible to timely notice traces of mold and take effective measures to eliminate it.
The surface soil layer is removed. The remaining substrate is decontaminated using a pink solution of potassium permanganate. You can dissolve 1 tsp for processing. l. lemon juice in 200 ml of settled water. If necessary, replace the juice ½ h. l. crystalline citric acid.
A fresh soil mixture is added, into which sphagnum or crushed charcoal - wood or activated, is added. These bactericidal substances additionally ensure the absorption of excess moisture. Sprinkle with fungicide, for example by dissolving 15 drops of "Fitosporin-M" in 1 liter of settled water.
In case of extensive mold damage, the plant is transplanted after disinfection of the roots into another container using fresh soil substrate.
Preventing mold formation
If simple preventive measures are followed, it will be possible to avoid the appearance of mold, which has a detrimental effect on indoor plants:
- For planting, select pots with large enough holes.
- Be sure to arrange high-quality drainage using broken brick, pebbles, expanded clay.
- The planting soil is disinfected by spilling with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. You can ignite the soil in the oven at 200 degrees or heat it over steam.
- Before planting, sphagnum or ground charcoal is introduced into the prepared substrate.
- Organize the correct irrigation regime using settled water.
- Provide soil air exchange necessary for the quality development of plants, carrying out regular loosening of the surface crust.
- Systematically ventilate the room. Eliminate sudden temperature changes.
- Provide plants with adequate lighting by installing lamps if necessary.
- Regular feeding is carried out with sifted wood ash, which improves the composition of the soil and protects against fungal infection.
Prophylactic watering with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate is carried out once a month. Protect garlic from mold. Several slices are cut and placed in the ground near the stem before watering. After loosening, the garlic cloves are removed.
It is necessary not only to fight mold in the pot. It is important to carefully examine the entire room and, if necessary, treat all infected areas with special antifungal drugs.
Do you know how to deal with mold in a flower pot?
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