Is Algae Bad for Plants or your AeroGarden Sponges?Īlgae is normal and not usually harmful for most hydroponic systems, especially if it’s present in a low amount. That's right, seaweed isn't actually a 's a type of algae! Algae contain chlorophyll but lacks the true stems, roots, leaves, and vascular tissue we associate with plants. The algae group contains seaweeds and many single-celled organisms. It’s Not Mold, It’s Algae On Your Coco Coir AeroGarden Sponges What Is Algae & How Is It Different From Mold?Īlgae is a group of photosynthetic organisms that are neither plant nor fungi. The majority of algae live in aquatic environments. Typically what you buy online or at the store is a 3% concentration, which works just fine. Hydrogen peroxide is cheap and readily available and can be applied with a spray gun or mister, just be sure to keep your hydrogen peroxide concentration below 4%. Technically putting diluted hydrogen peroxide on your AeroGarden sponges is safe, and it is effective at killing fungi such as mold (both good and bad), as well as reducing the chances of algae blooming (although this is more related to keeping your AeroGarden clean in general). Some retailers and distributors of similar products treat their products with hydrogen peroxide. Is Putting Hydrogen Peroxide On Your AeroGarden Sponges Safe? Regularly cleaning your hydroponic growing unit per the manufacturer's instructions is also key to a healthy harvest. Simply scraping away the white fuzzy mold from the surface of your growing sponges is all you really need to do. How Can You Start With Mold Removal In Your Hydroponic System? (Avoid storing your plugs in a plastic bag, keep them in a paper bag instead). Prior to packaging, we air-dry our plugs on large racks in order to reduce the chances of a Trichoderma bloom (not because it’s bad, but because it tends to induce a 1-star review regardless of the benefits!), and if you don’t like the look of it we recommend you store your sponges in a cool dry place. ![]() If you want to prevent the mold in your AeroGarden, then you have to reduce temperatures and moisture levels, or both. our products, and all other AeroGarden compatible grow sponges). Mold, in general, tends to thrive in environments that are damp and warm including packages of hydroponic grow sponges that are shipped during summer months in closed containers (i.e. Understanding how to prevent mold on your AeroGarden sponges is as simple as understanding what mold needs to grow and thrive. And there are, of course, harmful types of mildew, molds, and other fungi that can damage or even kill your plants. That said, we understand that mold growing on your sponges or potting soil may still be a cause for concern. Trichoderma is actually used as a beneficial soil inoculant (that means you can add it directly to your garden soil) where it colonizes on plant roots and improves the rhizosphere - the area around roots - to improve uptake of water and nutrients. It's presence can actually supress the growth of other fungi such as Pythium, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia, which cause damping off and many other harmful plant diseases. Trichoderma can actually be highly beneficial to your garden and potted (or hydroponically grown) plants. One of the most common types of mold that you are most likely to encounter on (or in) indoor gardening products or hydroponic systems like your AeroGarden is called Trichoderma. Molds exists everywhere – indoors and out – and whether you realize it or not you are encountering many type of mold every single day of your life. Species often look fuzzy and can be white, black, orange, green or purple in color. The term "mold" is used to refer to many different species of microbial fungi. What Exactly Is the Mold You Find in Pots? Often the same habitats suitable for plant growth are also suitable for fungus and algal growth, and this is just a part of nature. ![]() This growing medium is made from materials that include coco coir, peat moss and sometimes composted fir bark. What all of these products have in common is that they all include some sort of growing medium (or “Smart Soil”) that is used for germinating seeds. Mold has been known to occur on AeroGarden compatible grow sponges (most common), and occasionally in our own Bottle Garden kits, which use a similar type of grow sponge. But before you go throwing everything out and starting over, you might be surprised to learn that "fuzzy stuff" could actually be beneficial!Īlthough often disconcerting at first sight, mold in hydroponic systems such as AeroGardens can offer some surprising benefits to your plant’s health and may not actually be as harmful as it might seem at first. We get it the presence of white fuzzy stuff growing in your pots or hydroponic system is rarely a pleasant surprise for gardeners and plant owners. Ew, I Found Mold On My Seeds And Aerogarden Sponges! What Does This Mean?
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