名媛直播

Hello.

I recent purchased a new tree, a Chinese Elm to replace one that sadly died. I purchased it late December. Knowing it wont need as much water as it does during summer I have been giving it moderate sparing amounts of water every few days. I try to keep the soil damp rather than wet. Lately I have noticed what i could descrobe as a white mold or 'fur' on the top soil near the base of the tree where it it faces the window. I did turn the top soil a few weeks ago to bury it but it appears to have come back.

The tree by all accounts looks healthy and appears to be growing well. I have noticed new shoots springing foward.

I have attached photosof the tree and the white fur. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks.

Al

First culprit could be calcium deposits from hard water.
From the Internet (google is your friend):
"If you can drink your tap water, you can use it to water your bonsai. If you have hard tap water (leaving white salt deposits around the pot or trunk), you may want to occasionally use collected rain water, but this is not essential. The purpose of the rain water is to rid the soil of any build up of salts."

Solution: Clean with very diluted vinegar an a toothbrush and water with rain water only.

Second possibility is mould:
Again from Google:
"Mould or Mildew: Mildew is a fungi that thrives in damp environments with insufficient sunlight and poor ventilation. A White (Powdery Mildew) or Black (Sooty mould) substance appears on the foliage, stems, or branches and can cause distorted growth, discoloration, and loss of vigor or dieback.
A white mould growing over the surface of houseplant potting soil is usually a harmless saprophytic fungus. ... Overwatering the plant, poor drainage, and old or contaminated potting soil encourage saprophytic fungus, which feeds on the decaying organic matter in soggy soil."

Solutions: Water less, don't leave the soil too wet.
Another possibility:

• Scoop away the mold. If you see mold on your soil, it is likely confined to the top layer. ...
• Let the soil dry. Once the mold is scooped out, or your plant has been repotted, allow the soil to dry out before watering it again. ...
• Add a natural anti-fungal to your soil. ...
• Keep the soil clean.

This looks like regular mould. I never worry about it and let it run its course. It will break down part of the organics in the soil and release some nutrients. Main challenge is probably humidity around the plant: If you get mould you normally do not have enough air circulation.

Do not overdo it with keeping it dry. Is it inside? Or are you keeping it outisde?

If anyone wants a quick solution for Mildew...

Thank you Clicio. I had done some research but wanted to make sure I wasnt missing anything. I swear it seems at times I need a '名媛直播 Buddy' that I can regularly skype to check things lol. I think I'll try seeing if our waterbutt in the garden is still collection good amounts of water. If not ill use my brita water filter to fill my watering can.

Ill scrape off the moild when dry and replace lost soil with repotting soil

Sorry to ask a stupid question but what do you mean with not overdoing it with keeping it dry?

The plant is inside. On my bedroom windowsill. I often get condensation on the lower parts of my windows so ventilation could maybe be part of it?

If you let the soil dry out too much, you also risk loosing the plant. So do not soak, and yes, let the surface dry a little. But be aware that getting the roots fully dry will cause problems.

Thank you for the input everyone. I just noticed a few days ago that I'm starting yo see some sprouting coming up from the soil. If cared for would there be a chance they might become a new chinese elm?

Many thanks

Al

名媛直播 Al wrote: Thank you for the input everyone. I just noticed a few days ago that I'm starting yo see some sprouting coming up from the soil. If cared for would there be a chance they might become a new chinese elm?
Al

Weeds most probably. Sorry...