Sometimes it happens that even experienced lovers of indoor plants form white mold in flower pots. In addition to worries about how to get rid of it, the question arises: what is the reason for its occurrence?
Factors contributing to the formation of mold
The main cause of white plaque on the soil is a fungal infection. There are several conditions necessary for its development. Mold in a flower pot is formed due to both low temperature, high humidity in the room, and improper watering (excessive or frequent). Clogged drainage holes at the bottom of the vessel for plants, not corresponding to the variety of plantings, also contribute to the development of the fungus.
Mold in a flower pot often appears when autumn cloudy days come. During this period, less water is absorbed by the plants, and that which remains in the ground due to lower air temperatures evaporates slowly. Accumulating, moisture creates favorable conditions for the development of infection.
Prevention measures and ways to get rid of mold
To stop the formation of fungal deposits in the pot, it is recommended to reduce the amount of water for watering the plant and the frequency of the procedure. For the speedy evaporation of excess moisture, you can carefully loosen the substrate around it so as not to damage the roots of the flower. It should be remembered that improper care can lead to the development of infection both in anthurium, which requires a lot of moisture, and in a cactus, which is unpretentious. Having found out why mold is in the flower pot, we can conclude that its appearance does not depend on the state of the plant, but on external factors.
To overcome the fungus, you should clean the bottom openings of the vessel for the plant, provide good drainage and reduce the frequency of watering. Perhaps the flower does not have time to absorb the entire volume of moisture, as a result of which it evaporates and forms a salt coating on the surface of the earth. It is better to water the plant less often and more abundantly than scantily, but often. This contributes to the complete washing of the soil layer.
A change of scenery as a way to save a plant
If changing the irrigation regime does not bring an effective result, the mold in the flower pot can be defeated in another way. First of all, the plant should be transplanted into a smaller vessel. If the root system does not allow this, then you can only replace the topsoil. Before transplanting, it is recommended to wash the pot thoroughly and scald it with boiling water. The ideal option is to boil it completely in a pan or bucket for a while. Then you need to dry the vessel, pour drainage material on its bottom. In order to get rid of the microorganisms that form the mold in a flower pot, the new earth must be calcined on a stove or boiled over boiling water before planting. This rule applies to soil purchased at a specialty store, as it can also be contaminated, which means it needs to be treated. For steaming, the earth can be placed in a colander over boiling water.