If moist heat and organic fertilizer meet in the flower pot, mold has an easy time of it. Mold on potting soil is often caused by coffee grounds as fertilizer. You don’t have to sit idly by and watch this mold build up. Read these tips for effective immediate measures and long-term problem solutions.
How can you prevent mold on potting soil caused by coffee grounds?
To avoid mold on potting soil caused by coffee grounds, you should dry the coffee grounds before using them as fertilizer, store potting soil correctly and ventilate living spaces regularly. If mold forms, you can remove the affected soil and sprinkle cinnamon or bird sand on the surface.
What to do against mold on potting soil caused by coffee grounds?
As an immediate measure, scrape off the layer of potting soil that has become moldy due to coffee grounds and sprinkle cinnamon orbird sand onto the surface of the substrate.
If mold is in an advanced stage, you shouldrepot the houseplant in disinfected potting soil and a thoroughly cleaned flower pot. How to do it right:
- Unpotting houseplant.
- Shake off or rinse the substrate.
- Clean the flower pot with vinegar water and a brush.
- Mix fresh houseplant soil with expanded clay and sand.
- Moisten the substrate, sterilize it in the oven at 150 degrees for 30 minutes and let it cool down.
- Pot the plant over drainage and water.
How can you prevent mold on potting soil caused by coffee grounds?
The best prevention against mold on potting soil is professionaldryingof coffee grounds before using them as fertilizer, proper storage of potting soil and regularventilation of living spaces. Read these useful tips:
- Coffee grounds dry on a flat plate within a day or on a baking tray in the oven at 80 degrees within 30 minutes.
- Only sprinkle powder-dry coffee grounds as fertilizer and water plants from below.
- Store potting soil in the bag in a dark, cool and dry place to prevent mold from forming.
- Air living spaces with potted plants daily.
How dangerous is coffee grounds mold on potting soil?
For people with a he althy immune system, mold on potting soil issafeThe fluffy white mold coating is considered to be a he alth hazard for people who are known to be allergic to mold. There is a risk of mild breathing difficulties and even severe asthma attacks if allergy sufferers inhale the fungal spores.
Tip
Dispose of coffee grounds in the compost heap
Coffee grounds contain valuable ingredients such as nitrogen, potassium, tannic acid and phosphorus. This concentrated nutrient load not only makes coffee grounds a very valued plant fertilizer. When disposed of in the compost, coffee grounds accelerate the rotting process, loosen the humus and serve as a sought-after food source for earthworms. By the way, coffee grounds are also the favorite food of busy compost worms in your worm bin on the balcony.
