Algae in semi-hydro fix?
 

I have been reading where people running hydroponic systems (especially outdoors) are using grapefruit seed extract to control algae. Has anyone tried it in semi-hydro? Does anyone have thoughts about its use?

Best I have been able to tell in my 30+ years of s/h growing, algae has no effect on plant growth, and is merely an aesthetic issue.

I’d be careful about using a homemade remedy like that. If it can curtail algae growth, might it not affect the plant you’re trying to grow, as well?

Thanks Ray. Exactly why I asked. Lord knows we’ve all tried home remedies around the house and even on ourselves with mixed or disastrous results. I didn’t want to risk it without touching base here.

Algae doesn’t bother My plants

Here's an article about algae - link.

They mainly focus on cutting down on light getting into the nutrient solution. They do have a conclusion at the end - where it says relatively small amounts (or something like that) of algae is no problem. They didn't mention in the conclusion about relatively large amounts though. But they do discuss within the article body some possible unwanted effects of algae life cycles.

Like Ray and DC... I don't worry about algae and grow almost exclusively in semi-hydro. If it's an esthetic concern, don't use a clear pot, or put it inside an opaque cache pot. Now algae in the koi pond... a whole different ballgame. :biggrin:

Hi! If the algae coverage is widespread, i suggest spraying the walls of the glass with hydrogen peroxide solution, it wont harm the plant but be careful not to do it so often and not on new growths because it might impede cellular growth, monthly or every other, soak of physan20 solution helps me control algae growth too that might "suffocate" the roots due to competitive consumption.