Question
Hi Guys... Im trying my hand at growing tropicals indoors now that IM comfortable with Non-tropics out side.   I have  a small container of "Spats" and one of the spats has died and is starting to mold.   I am looking at getting some springtails for the mold but is there a certain brand or anything I can use to keep the mold at bay ?  Sorry if this message seems a bit muddled... Im just not sure what to do .   These are kept under 6500k lights for 10-12 hours a day .   bottom watered.  Water is kept about 1/4 inch deep.

Thanks!!

Answer
Hi Dexter,

Here's a couple things you can do.  First, do lots of top-watering of your plants.  This helps to keep mold spores washed off.  Also, keep any dead leaves clipped since this is often where mold starts.  Make sure your plants are fairly close to the lights.  Stronger UV will help keep the mold at bay.  Just be cautious of temperatures if you're using T-5 lights.  Drosera spatulata is a full-sun plant, so they will like it pretty bright.  If new growth is dark red, you have the lights close enough.

A good fungicide to use as a preventative is Safer sulfur based fungicide.  Here a link to our podcast on safe fungicides:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfVUrMaGjVs

Good Growing!

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