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What’s this in the soil of my pot plant

We have had this plant over six years. It’s done well and been repotted a couple of times. The last 2-3 years, this sulphur coloured growth appears on top of the soil. Even when completely repotted, it returns after many months. Occasionally, the plant sheds a few leaves. New compost always makes it seem healthy again. 

Any ideas please folks?




Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    That used to happen with mine (don't have it anymore). I thought it was sediment from liquid fertiliser or hard tap water.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I get it sometimes. I think it's from the hard water. You can scrape it off if you find it unsightly, and top up with a bit of fresh compost.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • bms_gardenbms_garden Posts: 7
    edited July 2021
     Thanks. We are in a very hard water area so makes perfect sense. I was reassured but my wife says that leaves only turn yellow and get shed when this appears. Such as these leaves now:
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Your wife’s correct,  the answer is to water it with filtered water. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Hi there, if you filter your drinking water, your indoor plants will appreciate this too as it removes not only the limescale but other elements that they can be sensitive to.  A water jug/filter is a good investment, despite the costly replacement cartridges! Alternatively, rain water is better for them than tap water and will help you avoid this problem.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    There will always be yellow leaves from time to time as the plant renews them.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Ficus benjamina sometimes seems to shed a load of leaves for no apparent reason, but I might try the filtered/rain water to see if it makes any difference.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Thanks all for your help here, we will try filtered water as we already use a jug all the time for drinking water. 
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    I have had a ficus benjamina in a pot for years, never had any deposit like that. However, it used to live on my desk at work, and it would have the dregs of my decaffeinated, no milk, Earl Grey tea tipped into it several times a day! Seemed to thrive on it. Just water since I retired though.
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