Viewing post #661344 by dyzzypyxxy

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Jul 17, 2014 8:02 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Keep your clay pots, but use them for the outdoor plants. For indoors, something non-porous like glazed ceramic or, yes, Rolling my eyes. even plastic would be better for not hosting fungi.

New potting soil should be essentially sterile. But as soon as you moisten it, it becomes a perfect host for any errant spore that floats by. I've used Scott's for years, but lately Vigoro Organic potting soil for a lot of things. It has quite a bit more coconut husk fiber, and less peat moss. I honestly don't know if it makes a difference, except here in FL with our very high humidity in summer I can't use "Moisture Control" potting soil because it stays much too wet. I wonder if the moisture crystals could be what's hosting the fungi - I had a caladium from Home Depot dry out completely on me a month ago, and when I took it out of the pot, the soil was a mass of moldy stuff that would not absorb water. I hosed it off and it floated all around, luckily I was outside and it was a windy day or I'd have breathed in a ton of the stuff . .

For your succulents and mother-in-law's tongue, I'd use a cactus mix or buy a bag of Perlite and mix a bunch of extra in with the potting soil.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill

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