Mould on moss

Danny350

Seedling
Messages
17
Reaction score
3
Location
U.K 🇬🇧
Hello all, I’m new to owning a bonsai and was just looking for some help and direction. I seem to have a bit of mould growing over the moss. Is this something that needs looking at or is it ok?

It’s an indoor Carmona bonsai in a south facing window (UK)
I water it once a week and use a liquid fertiliser once every 2 weeks.

Any help will be great.

Thanks.

Dan
 

Attachments

  • 25D9FFD5-E1DA-4AED-95BE-5DCA146B14C1.jpeg
    25D9FFD5-E1DA-4AED-95BE-5DCA146B14C1.jpeg
    199.8 KB · Views: 43
  • F2CAD756-FB07-4871-ADCA-840C1EF5513A.jpeg
    F2CAD756-FB07-4871-ADCA-840C1EF5513A.jpeg
    229.7 KB · Views: 44
  • AD2045EA-6FA2-42AF-AFF5-5C55F21DB676.jpeg
    AD2045EA-6FA2-42AF-AFF5-5C55F21DB676.jpeg
    172.3 KB · Views: 39
  • 05E79A71-38C1-489A-9EBD-EC90873D0333.jpeg
    05E79A71-38C1-489A-9EBD-EC90873D0333.jpeg
    179.6 KB · Views: 40
  • 6306D534-12DD-4067-9352-B19837D0E709.jpeg
    6306D534-12DD-4067-9352-B19837D0E709.jpeg
    223.5 KB · Views: 43
  • AC7D4713-5394-4970-8A34-58232AE96F00.jpeg
    AC7D4713-5394-4970-8A34-58232AE96F00.jpeg
    214.4 KB · Views: 41
One person's mold is another person's mycorrhizae :)

First, welcome to the site!! Second, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference, visually, but it appears what you are looking at isn't mold at all, but rather mycorrhizae, which is symbiotic fungus that grows in most soils, and which forms a positive symbiotic relationship with plants. Usually you will only see it deeper in the soil (for example, when you are repotting) because it requires moist conditions and does not respond well to sunlight. However in your case it appears you are keeping the soil well-watered and heavily fertilized, and the soil is responding positively. You can see how the mycorrhizae is growing within/amid your moss and doesn't appear to be harming it - or your Carmona, which looks extremely healthy. Note that some mycorrhizae will send out fruiting bodies in the form of mushrooms.

However... be careful with your tree to make sure you don't turn the corner from "just enough light and water" to "too much water and not enough light" particularly as we are going into the Fall and Winter and your photoperiod drops. On bright warm days you might want to pop open the window and let your tree get direct sunlight. Keep an eye on the soil to make sure it doesn't become saturated and waterlogged - and that your tree doesn't start suffering dead/rotting roots as a result of hypoxic soil conditions.

Otherwise I would say that everything looks great!
 
Welcome to Crazy!

It is weird that it doesn't seem to be smothering the moss.

What's in the tube?

Sorce
 
I disagree. It is moldy because almost all moss won't grow indoors. Get rid of the moss and put some stones there if you don't want to look at open soil. By-the-way, it's sending out spores inside your house, but take your time...
 
This does look like a mold, a saprophytic fungus, and not a mycorrhizal fungus. Probably the moss is too wet. Having moss inside is hard and will very likely fail as forsoothe! mentions.
 
The moss will degenerate into a mass black sludge, muy pronto.
 
One person's mold is another person's mycorrhizae :)

First, welcome to the site!! Second, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference, visually, but it appears what you are looking at isn't mold at all, but rather mycorrhizae, which is symbiotic fungus that grows in most soils, and which forms a positive symbiotic relationship with plants. Usually you will only see it deeper in the soil (for example, when you are repotting) because it requires moist conditions and does not respond well to sunlight. However in your case it appears you are keeping the soil well-watered and heavily fertilized, and the soil is responding positively. You can see how the mycorrhizae is growing within/amid your moss and doesn't appear to be harming it - or your Carmona, which looks extremely healthy. Note that some mycorrhizae will send out fruiting bodies in the form of mushrooms.

However... be careful with your tree to make sure you don't turn the corner from "just enough light and water" to "too much water and not enough light" particularly as we are going into the Fall and Winter and your photoperiod drops. On bright warm days you might want to pop open the window and let your tree get direct sunlight. Keep an eye on the soil to make sure it doesn't become saturated and waterlogged - and that your tree doesn't start suffering dead/rotting roots as a result of hypoxic soil conditions.

Otherwise I would say that everything looks great!

Thanks very much for the reply, very interesting information.

Do you recommend watering less than once a week during winter months?
 
Welcome to Crazy!

It is weird that it doesn't seem to be smothering the moss.

What's in the tube?

Sorce
It is a water measurement meter. Tells me when I have adequately watered my tree. Very helpful as this is my first and I have zero experience.
 
I grow moss better inside.

I thought that thing with the cat blood in it was fertilizer.

It won't help you water. It's a gimmick to entertain humans.

Sorce
 
I grow moss better inside.

I thought that thing with the cat blood in it was fertilizer.

It won't help you water. It's a gimmick to entertain humans.

Sorce

Oh really lol, it has a little float inside it that rises as I water it, and has an optimum zone which I aim for once a week.
 
That appearance is the result of moss growing on the dead moss that came before it. I like that, too.
 
Back
Top Bottom