Question
Fuzzy white in soil
I have a small lemon tree I'm trying to grow. It started in a warmer climate but I've moved to a snowy climate, taking the tree with me. I keep it in my apartment. I keep getting this white powdery stuff growing on the top of the soil. I think it's mold or some other fungus. It's attracting gnats to it and occasionally I get the gnat larva wriggling around in there. I use Raid to kill them off, but I still have the "fungus". The soil is Miracle Grow Potting Soil. The tree doesn't seem to mind. It's almost a foot tall and growing strong. I just hate the look of the fungus and the gnats. What can I use to get rid of the fungus and not kill the plant?
AnswerHi Thomas, The fungus probably will not hurt your plant, the fungus gnat larvae in the soil can. You may want to drench the soil with a little rotenone or pyrethrum if you see large numbers of the larvae. There are some fungicides labeled for container use (check with your local garden center) but if it were mine, I'd cover the soil surface with 1/2" of pea gravel and forget about it. Jim
