If you discover a green coating on the surface of your house and balcony plants, there can be various reasons for this. Find out here what you can do and how you can reliably prevent it.
What does a green coating on the potting soil mean?
A greenish coating usually forms on the potting soil of balcony or terrace plants in shade or partial shade. These are oftenmosses or algae, which form due to excessive moisture. They are relatively harmless and can be easily removed.
How do I remove the green coating on the potting soil?
To remove the moss or algae, you should loosen thesoil well Place the affected bucket or pot in a sunny location for a few hours so that the soil can dry well. Caution: However, too strong and prolonged exposure to sunlight can also lead to sunburn on the plants. If the soil has dried thoroughly, the moss no longer has any basis and disappears on its own.
How do I prevent a green coating on the potting soil?
Make sure that thetop layer of soilin your flower pots isnot constantly moist. At best, it is dried on top and still moist at a depth of about two to three centimeters. If possible, water once a week rather than every few days. Use expanded clay to support it and mix it into the soil. This stores water and releases it to the plant when needed. Ventilate regularly and sufficiently.
Is it bad not to remove the green coating on the earth?
If you do not remove the green coating on the surface of the earth, it will harm the plantnot at first However, over time, mosses or algae establish themselves and are more difficult to remove. If the plant is particularly small and low, it can become overgrown over time. Make sure that no mold forms on the substrate or on the root ball. Waterlogging should also be avoided in any case. Also check your potting soil for lime deposits and stains.
Where does the green coating on the potting soil come from?
In most cases, mosses are" introduced" by rainwater Moss forms on the north sides of roofs. When rain falls on the roofs, parts of the moss get into the water. If you use this for your plants, the moss parts will remain on the surface of the earth and multiply if there is sufficient and lasting moisture. When you use pond water for watering, you bring in algae particles. Mosses and algae are often found in purchased potting soil.
Tip
Use small pottery shards
To avoid waterlogging, you should cover the holes in the bottom of the pot with small pieces of pottery. This means excess water drains away easily.
