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Green water in pot saucers

Sarah Dimond-GarciaSarah Dimond-Garcia Posts: 3
in Problem solving
3 questions in one sorry …..
1. Can anyone clarify why I have a green algae like growth appearing in the saucers of my Hostas? I’ve cleaned the saucers and bottoms of the pots but it always seems to come back!
2. Also do I need to keep water in thesaucers continually? 
3.If not will this solve the green algae problem?


Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Stand the pot on the pot feet you already have. No need for the saucer - it's doing more harm than good.
    The whole point of pot feet is to keep the drainage hole in the pot open and allow excess water to drain away. With a saucer the water can't drain.
    If the roots of your plant are in constant contact with water they will rot especially as the weather cools down.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you have a very long hot, dry spell, it can be useful to put moisture loving plants in a saucer short term, to rehydrate them well, and to save watering constantly, but you need to remove it once they're thoroughly dampened, and then keep on top of watering them in the usual way. Keep them in a shadier spot to prevent them drying out so quickly too. 

    Only pond plants like being constantly wet - even bog plants need some drainage  :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited September 2021
    Oleanders, surprisingly considering where they come from, do like to stand in water.  My saucers become green with algae, more this year for some reason.  
    Domestic bleach if left in the saucer for a day will clear it, but not when the plants are there.

     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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