What to do if mold appears in potted plants: simple tips
When you harvest flowers in your home, not only uninvited guests in the form of midges can appear but also a more serious problem like mold. This threat manifests itself quite often, and if you don't try to fight it, it can lead to health problems for your indoor plants.
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Mold develops rapidly in high-humidity conditions, and that is why it is important to know how to protect your flowers. Here are some useful tips and life hacks from experienced flower growers, which theLime writes about.
- Change the topsoil. Mold spreads by spores, so the topsoil will almost certainly be infected. Thoroughly remove the soil with the characteristic coating and replace it with a high-quality potting mix that has good drainage. You should avoid the use of garden soil, which may contain pathogens that promote mold growth.
- Provide good drainage. Make sure your flower pots have drainage holes. Good drainage will help to avoid water retention at the bottom of the pot, which can contribute to a humid environment and, consequently, mold growth.
- Control watering. Excessive moisture can lead to increased humidity in the pot, and this is the perfect environment for mold to grow. Water the plants only when the top layer of soil is already dry to the touch and avoid standing water in the pot.
- Get rid of dead plant parts. Dead leaves and plant debris can encourage mold growth. Remove them regularly from the surface of the pot and soil.
- Plant placement. Proper plant spacing is important to promote better air circulation and prevent mold growth. Maintain the desired plant spacing by pruning and thinning the plants if necessary.
- Use mulch carefully. If you use mulch in pots, don't overdo it. Too much mulch can retain moisture and create an environment for mold.
- Fungicides. In severe cases, when other measures do not work, it may be necessary to use fungicides specifically designed for indoor plants. In such cases, you should carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Use garlic and cinnamon. Garlic is a natural fungicide that can be used to fight mold. Simply peel a few cloves of garlic, cut them open, and plant them in the soil where the mold is present. In addition, cinnamon has also proven itself as a mold prevention agent. Put a couple of cinnamon sticks in the soil or sprinkle cinnamon powder on the surface of the potting soil.
As a reminder, houseplants can be useful and beneficial to your space, but they can also be a source of inconvenience and problems. Some of them have the ability to attract pests, such as cockroaches.
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