Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Fungus?

Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
in Problem solving
I have a ficus benjamina which is over 25 years old which has been a bit poorly over the last couple of years. It's been re-potted after a vine weevil attack about 3 years ago but still not that perky.  The pot is usually fairly hidden in a corner behind a sofa, but the room is being decorated and now I can see this!! 
Any ideas A, what is it? B is it harmful? 
Devon.
«13

Posts

  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150
    Could it be a lichen rather than a fungus?
    I'm no expert... it just reminds me of your garden seat 😃.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    No idea what it is to be honest, hence "?" . 
    Devon.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Supplementary question. Should / can I get rid of it?
    Devon.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Does it smell/feel fungusy? It could just be salt deposits.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    No smell and the post is at least 10 years old , if that helps any?
    Devon.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I agree with @WillDB, it looks like salt deposits.
    Maybe try licking it :):)
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    erm...... or maybe not??
    Would it be salt deposits from a pot that old?
    Devon.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I’ve had clay pots like that,  I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, Ive never known lichen to form indoors, but who knows.
    I think by the way it’s eating into the pot, it’s a moss, our roof tiles look like that. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Hostafan1 said:
    erm...... or maybe not??
    Would it be salt deposits from a pot that old?
    Do you know if your tap water is hard or soft? (assuming you use tap water to water that plant?). It looks like mineral scale rather than organic material. Try dropping some vinegar on it and see if it fizzes. It could be minerals from the pot material, your water or the plant food you've been using. See if you can dissolve some of it in water which might be a clue if it's a salt.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    edited April 2019
    Soft water here in Devon. 
    Can I ask if folk think it's something to worry about / remove, or is it doing no harm?
    Devon.
Sign In or Register to comment.