Organic Fertilizer, Mold, and Stink

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GarlR

Mame
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Well, organic fertilizer was a good thought. I honestly didn't think it would smell that bad, or that quick. Anyway, I am going to go with a chemical fertilizer. Of course, my bonsai are indoors.

However, there is mold growing all over the soil. I don't know the best way to 'clean' it up. I was thinking of removing all the organic, then soaking a paper towel with alcohol, and letting it soak on the mold for a few minutes?

I know alcohol can damage some trees/roots/etc. I don't want to dig up the top layer of soil. Any ideas?

Perhaps putting alcohol/water mixture in my mister, then spraying it? The towel would allow me the most accuracy in targeting the soil, and not the tree, though.
 
Garl, organic fertilizer is a mess IMO. As far as the mold goes I would not consider alcohol at all. Why not use a small stiff brush like a toothbrush and just scrape it away ? If you could get it into the sun that would naturally dry the mold out. Is this the white mold like you see on dead vegetation, I have seen some people post pictures of green moss thinking it was mold.

ed
 
Leave it. It harmless. It was part of the organic fertilizer going through its process with microorganisms. I don't think the "mold" smells.
 
nathanbs said:
Leave it. It harmless. It was part of the organic fertilizer going through its process with microorganisms. I don't think the "mold" smells.
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Some white mold has a terrible stink to it. I find it on wet places on roofs where vegetation has dropped from trees, like in a valley where it collects and stays wet. It can either smell like a sickly sweet smell, like a garbage dump has and sometimes it has a smell almost like animal feces.

ed
 
It is probably the fertilizer and the mold. It doesn't hugely bother me, but I do like to have a girl over now and again. They don't want to smell that...I assure you. :) My bonsai setup is right next to my couch. :)
 
In the first place, it's not necessary to feed much if at all in the winter. If your trees are actively growing, use a little liquid miracle grow or something similar, low N-P-K every week or two.

I use all organic feeds...cakes, fish, seaweed, everything, and lots of it, but my trees are all outside. There's no chance I would use any of it inside.
 
They are tropicals. Ficus. :) Anyway, the organic fertilizer I am using is 5-5-5. Indicates to reapply monthly. It is pretty slow release.
 
GarlR said:
They are tropicals. Ficus. :) Anyway, the organic fertilizer I am using is 5-5-5. Indicates to reapply monthly. It is pretty slow release.
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We have been using a Natural Organic 4-2-3 made by Raingrow for many years on our Ficus - It actually has a Mint fresh smell - and I bet it sells well for them :P
 
How wet are you keeping the soil?? I use organic fertilizer and I don't have any kind of mold issues.
 
Redwood Ryan said:
How wet are you keeping the soil?? I use organic fertilizer and I don't have any kind of mold issues.
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Not sure if you meant that for me but we maintain as close to natural humidity and light on all the Ficus for the winter months here - "IF" mold of "ANY" type would or has become a problem - we would just mist the affected area with 1/4 to 1 Vineger solution gently as it can change the soil quality a lot if over applied. Honest it is a tried and true forula for us for unwanted mold, moss or things like spider mites for many years. :)
 
So, 1/4 cup vinegar plus 1 cup water? Is this pretty safe on ficus foliage? Not sure if my spider mites are coming back, but I wouldn't mind another weapon in the arsenal just in case.

Thanks,
David
 
It is supposed to mold with the organic fertilizer, but I decided against using organic indoors. :) I don't really mind it, but if I have someone over, I don't want it to assault their noses. heh

I just need to remove the mold after I remove the organic fertilizer.
 
GarlR said:
It is supposed to mold with the organic fertilizer, but I decided against using organic indoors. :) I don't really mind it, but if I have someone over, I don't want it to assault their noses. heh

I just need to remove the mold after I remove the organic fertilizer.
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Not all organic fertilizer causes mold. I've never actually had it happen with my trees. It's more a wet soil issue.
 
MrFancyPlants said:
So, 1/4 cup vinegar plus 1 cup water? Is this pretty safe on ficus foliage? Not sure if my spider mites are coming back, but I wouldn't mind another weapon in the arsenal just in case.

Thanks,
David
Click to expand...

Yes I have a quart premixed in a $1.00 sprayer from the Dollar General. It is also great to use for wiping down food prep surfaces as an antibacterial per the FDA. Works real nice on the large wooden bake top and the wood cutting boards and such.
 
Just a couple of words here...If it says outdoor use only on the fertilizer packaging, they mean it. It probably also says do not inhale. Simply because it may not be healthy to be inhaling this in a home environment.

Second..be careful with the vinegar. Vinegar can be an herbicide. Try not to let the solution go into the soil and get to the roots. If I am not mistaken, usually the use of vinegar is to remove moss from the trunk of a tree.

Rob
 
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