Question
White spots
Hi Wayne King,
Today, when I watered the Paph seedlings, I noticed that one of them has small white egg like spots on potting mix(potting mix is fresh). Is it harmful to my seedlings? How to get rid of them?
I've attached the photo for your reference.
Thanks in advance
AnswerIt lookls a litle like snow mold which occurs when the potting mix is being kept too moist or humid. You may be using a soil-like potting mix and/or one with moss and that mix is retaining too much water. It is not clear from the picture, but it looks like you may be growing the seedlings in an enclosed container to keep the humidity high. Snow mold also likes these humid conditions. It is harmless in the short run but, if it sppreads to the seedling, could reduce the amount of light they get and feeda on the same potting mix so will degrade it. I recommend a couple of approaches. First, you can remove the top from the container which will reduce the humidity that promotes snow mold growth. Instead of, or addition to, you may gently mist the top of the potting mix with a fungicide called physan. If you do the latter, try to avoid getting it on the seedlings. They may, or may not, react adversely to the mist, depending upon their age and size. Another option is to soak a new batch of potting mix in the fungicide and repot the seedlings after sanitizing your growth container.
