Question
Hi!
I recently sowed some VFT seeds.  They haven't germinated yet, but on the soil surface there is algae.  Will this hurt my seeds and keep them from germinating, or is it just an eyesore, nothing else?
John

Answer
Hi John,

Algae can definitely be a problem for seedlings.  It will smother them.  Older plants it doesn't affect too much.  The best advice I can give is to gently do lots of top-watering to try and rinse it away.  You can slow down the growth of it beforehand by doing a thorough rinsing of the peat moss, then pouring boiling water over it before sowing your seeds.  Be sure to let it cool first before sowing.  The boiling water treatment will kill algae spores.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com