Question
Hi!
I have green mold forming in my pot of VFT seeds, and I don't like to buy commercial 'cides (i.e. pesticides, fungicides, etc.).  I tend to use home-made things for pests, such as a Dr. Brommer's magic soap solution, as well as, well, ladybugs and lacewings!  Is there anything I can make at home that will deal with this mold, or should I try moving outdoors and letting wild things take care of the mold, along with our hot outdoor sun?
Thanks,
John

Answer
Hi John,

Without using fungicides, sun exposure will definitely help, as will pouring boiling water over your peat before using it to sow seeds.

Otherwise, I can't recommend any home cures.  Some home cures have research behind them to show that they actually work such as a milk solution to stop powdery mildew on curcubits, and others do not.  We also found that even commercial "natural" products can sometimes be harder on plants than their chemical cousins.  For instance, I don't recommend the milk solution I just mentioned, even though it's been proven to work, because as it breaks down, it will release lots of nitrogen, a big problem for Venus Flytraps.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com