Clear pots, light and moisture ='s

[Steve B]

I was warned about this when I ask for clear pots at a garden center. Has anybody else experienced this? Is this in anyway detrimental?

Still learning.
Steve

[clarita]

Its algae. Nothing harmful. It just looks unattractive

[BunnytheOrchid]

Algae will form when there is nutritious water and light. So the clear pot probably let's in light, and the water from watering/soaking your orchid is creating an environment for it. I have algae in my gallon of fertilizer, and it doesn't seem to bother the orchids. It doesn't look like mold, so it should be harmless

[PhalPal]

I have all my Phals and Oncs in clear plastic and have never experienced algae like yours. I do use a very free draining mix and have mega winds blowing around my pots under the lights. I think the only danger is that your pots may not be draining well enough and your mix is staying too wet. I'm curious what others may think about this.

[rodbender]

I have most of my high moisture loving plants in clear plastic and dont have that kind of algae problem. But then I also keep them in a clay pot for looks and have a lot of air flow around them.

[Stitz]

I have a few orchids growing in clear pots. Some in bark mixes, some in NZ sphagnum. ALL have algae.

The presence of algae isn't a "problem" in my collection. Overcolonization would be a problem. I don't have a problem with the numbers.

Bacteria are everywhere. Are they a "problem"? No, only when the bacteria exceed a number that is healthy for the plant.

The analogy is appropriate.

--Stitz--

[clarita]

Its important to point out that algae, fungi and bacteria are all different genus. Bacteria should not be confused with algae.

[articuno75]

I have a bunch of orchids in clear pots (My Catts are in these pots near a good amount of light) I don't have algae. I can say that I do have lots of air flow going over all of my plants. Maybe this could be the reason.

[PhalPal]

Algae in itself is not the problem. The fact remains that it thrives in consistently moist conditions which may be a problem for orchid roots.

[jay]

I grow my orchids with S/H. I get algae in just about all of my pots.

I am just theorizing here, but wouldn't the algae produce oxygen. If so, would it be enough to benefit the roots since they need oxygen. Just a stab in the dark on this one.

[waldofrumpki]

Speaking as a marine bio student, I would agree that algae would pose very little if any threat to an orchid. although too much may compete for resources, the small amount you have would have a negligible effect, it's only there because of the combination of light and moisture. I don't know what kind of moisture conditions your orchid requires, so I don't know if its presence indicates too much, but you have nothing to fear from the algae itself, it won't harm the orchid. As for Jay, you're right, algae is an excellent producer of oxygen, but unfortunately you'd need a lot more to make much of a difference, I'm sure the orchid produces all it needs all by itself. Enjoy your unicellular plants

[digitalgate]

when you have algae. Fungus and mold will be keep at bay (not all the time). So at
least your plant is healthy.

[tom499]

I get it slowly appearing in clear pots too. With phals I just give them a dry spell, it helps slow the growth down.

With most other plants I usually use it as a guide when to repot. Either pot up or just scrub the pot out good and we replace the old media.

I also agree, its not really a problem, just abit unsightly. Goes for the same with moss on the pot surface, has its goods and bads

[tizzycat]

Most of my orchids are on plain bark, so therefore a fairly open and well aerated medium.

The only plant with algae is my most recent purchase, and it came with it. I think the plant had been kept wetter than my norm. Maybe it's a slight indication that the moisture level has been a bit high for a phal.

[11Orchid126]

Algae is also a sign of too much nitrogen in the fertilizer. You might want to switch to a lower nitrogen fertilizer for a while.