White Dots & Green Fuzz on Soil: Perlite, Algae & How to Fix It

Photo diagnosis:

White Dots = Perlite

Peat washes away, exposing perlite. Harmless. Happens in our pots too.

Green Fuzz = Algae + Moss

Caused by low light (greenhouse/indoor growing). We never see it on outdoor full-sun plants.

Fixes

• Move outdoors in full sun (best prevention).
• Scrape top layer, refill with fresh mix (cosmetic fix).
• Top-water instead of tray-watering indoors (flushes spores).
• Stop misting—it swings humidity, stresses plants.

Sand vs. Perlite

Horticultural/play sand works if no limestone (common in Midwest). Perlite is fine unless it's Miracle-Gro/Schultz (fertilized). Your Espoma perlite? Small bags often have cross-contamination. Safest: 4 ft³ perlite bags or sandblasting silica sand (Home Depot/Lowes).

Akai Ryu Decline

Likely combo: low light + possible fertilizer in perlite + no dormancy. Repot all into fresh, verified-safe mix.

Fungicide

Safer Brand Garden Fungicide (RTU) = OK. Avoid 3-in-1 (has insecticidal soap—harmful).

Full care: cobraplant.com/caresheets