white mold on terra cotta pots

Discussion in 'Houseplants' started by Saproxylic, Jan 29, 2017.

  1. Saproxylic

    Saproxylic New Seed

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    My unglazed terra cotta pots with plants in them are getting a bloom of white mold, mostly on the bottom parts of pots,but some also higher up. It's winter and I keep most of my plants on the drier side, so there should not be any stagnant water sitting there. Also, it only seems to happen with the new pots I purchased this fall.

    Any ideas how to fight it?
     
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  3. LIcenter

    LIcenter In Flower

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    Could be just the salts leaching out. Are you sure it's mold like?
     
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  4. Ronni

    Ronni Hardy Maple

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    I have the same thing happening with mine. I don't think it's mold. It doesn't easily scrub off. Mold would respond to bleach or scrubbing and this stuff on my pots does't. I decided it's some kind of mineral deposit that is leaching out through the porous clay.
     
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  5. Saproxylic

    Saproxylic New Seed

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    I hoped it was just mineral deposits as well, but then it went all soft and fluffy,and it brushes off with a finger. should I try dabbing diluted bleach solution on the affected areas?
     



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  6. LIcenter

    LIcenter In Flower

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    I would use Hydrogen peroxide. It' actually kills the mold unlike bleach, which does not, even tho many people say it does.
     
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  7. Islandlife

    Islandlife Young Pine

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    I get this over time on my pots but I always thought it was salts leeching out. Will try hydrogen peroxide next time I get into the cleaning mode.
     

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