white spots appeared on the surface of charcoal

[stvloh]

I found a lot of whitekish spots on the surface of charcoal which I used as a potting medial for my orchids plants. Is it bad for the plants or anythings else can cause to the plants itself. Is thera ny ways or method to prevent or remove it from the charcoal instead of changing the charcoal as a potting media. As charcoal is very commonly used in our country as a potting media for orchids. Thanks everyone in advance.

[kmarch]

If it is what i think it is, it's very tiny fungus. Each white speck is like a tiny mushroom on the mix. I occasionally get this on some of my Paph mixes in summer. They do not seem to harm anything. In some instances i have left them untouched with no aparent harm coming to the plant. In other instances i have applied a fungicide. One application cleared it up.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Have you considered the possibility that it is salt deposits from hard water evaporating from the top of the pot. Without pictures to give us an idea of just what these spots really look like, it is hard to advise you of the nature and cure. You also need to update your profile with your location so we can have an idea of your environmental conditions. In Arizona where I live, we would never have microscopic mushrooms on anything, it is just too dry, inspite of our attemps to raise the humidity by various means.

[stvloh]

Thank you very much for the reply and adviced from both of you. I am from Malaysia with warm and humid country. My orchid plants is with a 70% darkness netting. The white sports normally appears on the lower parts of the port which was not exposed. I will try to post pics of the white sports on the charcoals.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

STV, I bet you get lots of rain and have very soft water, which means salt deposits are not your problem, and Kevins idea of mushrooms is much more likely.

[stvloh]

may i ask both of you Cynthia andkmarch, can I use neem oil instead of fungicide to clear the fungus. sorry for all the trouble.

[fred]

Originally Posted by stvloh

may i ask both of you Cynthia and kmarch, can I use neem oil instead of fungicide to clear the fungus. sorry for all the trouble.

stvloh

As neem oil also has anti fungal properties it can also be used.

please dont be sorry we love questions here if you never ask you will never know.

[stvloh]

Thanks all the answer for my question.