S/H and Black mold/fungus?

[Becca]

I can't remember if this question has been asked or not, or even if I have asked previously. I tried searching first before asking, I swear! Anyways...here it goes!

I've noticed a black mold/fungus growing on the inside of my s/h pots and on the s/h medium. Is this harmful to the orchids? I only have a problem with it in a few of the containers and I can't figure out why? I'm sure I can treat it with Physan 20, but I know it will just kill it and the black stuff will still be visible. I'm sure it will also continue to come back. So I am wondering, should I repot with fresh medium or is it harmless to the roots and I can just leave it as long as I don't mind its ugliness?

TIA!

[Marty]

do you have any photos. I'm curious if it's the same stuff that I have in my vivaria.

[Becca]

I don't, and I don't think my camera would be able to get a good close-up of it. Sorry! The best way I can describe it is that it looks like black smug-sludge-fuzz on the s/h medium and the side of the pot. It isn't on the top surface of the medium, usually deeper into the pot.

[vmax3000]

Hi Becca and Marty,
I have these sooty smudges on the leaves of a couple of my plants. I have been using "Get Off Me" from repotme.com mixed with isopropyl alcohol (91%) with moderate success. Would love to hear what others have done...or maybe mine isn't even the same stuff. Anyway, there it is, my ....and that isn't much in this economy

[Becca]

Thanks Vanessa! I haven't seen anything like this on the leaves yet, just in the s/h pots and medium! I purchase from repotme.com so if I get it on the leaves I'll be sure to keep them in mind!

[DelawareJim]

Becca;

Are you sure it's not algae in the pot? I developed algae growing on the inside of my containers and on the outside of the Prime Agra when the sun got brighter this spring/summer.

I'm thinking of putting my containers in a cache pot or maybe putting some fabric around the outside of the containers with velcro to keep the light out.

In the mean time, I unpotted a couple of my worst looking containers, rinsed the PA, washed the container and repotted with no ill effects.

Cheers.
Jim

[Becca]

Jim, it could be algae, but it's black and not green, is that normal?

[kavanaru]

Becca, I have algae growing in my S/H pot. They look actualy like black mold, but if you take some and put in clear water you will see the borders are dark green. My planst don't really care about it (me neither )

when you repot the plant, you will see it is growing only near the walls of the pot.

[Becca]

It must be algae then! I know algae is harmless, just not pretty to look at. I was just concerned because it looked black and I could see it on one of the roots that is near the side of the pot.

Whew! I feel better now...and I don't need to repot either! Thanks for your help everyone!

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

Becca, I have algae growing in my S/H pot. My planst don't really care about it (me neither )

Ramon...
You're not married are you?

Cheers.
Jim