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Wierd ‘fungus?’ on new mailorder plants

NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
in Plants
Received this somewhat late delivery of Moerheim Beauty Heleniums today - from a new French nursery I am trying out (jardiplante). Not very impressed with the plants, quite spindly and etiolated, but what on earth are the weird orangy growths in the pot?? They seem quite rooted in so not sure if I should remove them or if doing so will disturb the roots of the plants too much. I will pot them on and nurture them for a while but what to do about the mini triffids?!


Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.

Posts

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Looks like a moss?
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It's the flowers of a moss. 
    https://pixabay.com/en/moss-flowering-moss-macro-colors-1839826/
    Really rather beautiful and they won't do any harm. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Ah, many thanks. I will probably chop them off at soil level and pot the plants on with a bit of grit on the top then, rather than trying to hoik them out if they are harmless.
     - sorry I can be a bit of a neat freak! What about the spindly plants, shall I just let them get on with it or chop them back and hope for stronger growth??

    Must say, will probably stick to Le Clos d’Armoise in future (Brittany Perennials in the UK) for great healthy plants. I have had the odd one that didn’t make it, but they offer replacement or money back instantly, no quibbles.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    edited May 2018
    Moss is a pretty fickle beast, I wouldnt worry about removing it, I imagine it will disappear within days of planting them as judging by their legginess and the moss they have likely been stacked together en masse so the bases have been in complete shade, whilst being well watered. The moss will more than likely make a swift exit now they are in the light and soil surface gets the chance to dry out between waterings
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Plants that have been in the pot too long often develop a layer of moss on the surface. It is easy to pull off when you transplant or pot into a larger pot. I remove it as it tends to stop water getting into the soil properly.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Some moss fans out there I see!

    Any advice about the plants themselves - should I leave the spindly growth be or cut them back? I am tempted to chop and hopefully make them stronger, would this be he right thing to do?
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Tip them out of the pot. Tease out any roots as I will bet they are pot bound. Gently pull off the moss. Plant out into rich soil (add compost and fertiliser to poor soil)  in a sunny position and watch them grow..  You may need some supports, fine canes or twiggy branches, but I would not cut them back if you want flowers this year.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    They were very pot bound, fidgetbones! I have tidied them up a bit, teased out the roots and potted them on for now. I have a nice sunny spot in the border for them thats got loads of composted manure and compost mixed in and the hazel sticks at the ready. For now they have joined the rest of the late developers in the poly that I plan to plant out on 21st May, when I return from my hols. The poor house sitters have pages of watering and plant care instructions. OH had to drag me away from the garden kicking and screaming :D
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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