Question
Hi, I was wondering if you help me identify a strange creature that seems to have infested the dirt of my China Doll. There are a large amount of white and  fuzzy ball shaped things growing in the dirt, they are very small and very concentrated. They seem to throughout most of the dirt. They have been in the dirt for about a year now, and they don't seem to be damaging the plant (The China Doll is about 2 years old and is around 3 1/2 feet tall and its very healthy). Something that is starting to concern me though is that whenever I water the plant, the water that drains out is a bright yellow... and that kinda worries me. The plant is in a pretty humid environment, so I don't know if this  might be a moss or something? But if you know anything about these things, or anyway to get rid of them, it would be greatly apriciated. Thank You.

Answer
Hi Ben,

First make sure that the white balls are not perlite or styrofoam balls that have been added to the potting mix. Both of these substances have a tendency to rise to the surface of the soil and float about. They are inorganic and not a cause for any concern.

If they are indeed fuzzy, then it is probably a type of soil mold or fungus. It is best to scrape them out and remove any surrounding loose soil. Usally if you are persistent and do this repeatedly, eventually the problem will decline or disappear. For persistent problems, you can apply a fungicide as a soil drench.

The bright yellow flowing through the soil is not related to soil fungus or the soil additives. Something has been added to the soil or water that is causing this discoloration. Do you use compost or add tea or coffee to the plant? Any cats about the house? Is your tap water hard or alkaline?

I suggest that you flush lots of clear water through the soil until it runs clear. If your local tap water is on the hard side, switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater. If there is an odor associated with the yellow color, then add some lime to the soil.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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