Barbara -

It is a constant battle. I wash my trays with clorax, I boil my mats to kill this thing, and the result - it returns. It is much better with Physan. But ...

Dale Martens, the "mother" of a Texas Hot Chili and a lot of other neat stuff - doesn't use physan. She puts lunch baggies in her deli style reservoirs, and replaces them from time to time when they turn green. I think it keeps the cleaning down significantly.

I read that if you put enough copper into your trays - it also cuts the algae.

But otherwise - algae grows because your plant environment is very good.

Enduring

Irina

Thanks, Irina. I think I'll put some pennies in a couple of reservoirs and see what happens. What do I have to lose?

I'll report back on the experiment.

Barbara, waiting for the nor'easter tomorrow.....

Blizzard in Indy?? At least the northern half of state. Barb I have some of the deli containers but havent used any of them yet. I use the cheap clear plastic saucers 6inch and havent had any of the green stuff yet and use bottled water. I wash them after a filling or two, there is film on the saucers but not green. Ive heard about the copper keeping it down some , but one has said here that it didnt make any difference for them, but yes it is worth a try if you are having problems.

Hi Barbara,
I also use plastic bags inside my reservoirs. When I feel the algae is too bad, I empty the reservoir and put a clean baggie in it.
Fred in NJ

There is not much copper in pennies, so put a lot.

Unless you use old pennies, probably 60s and 70s; after that it's all zinc. Problem is, I remember from my bonsai days that copper inhibits root growth; it may be only with direct contact, but still...

I just clean my reservoirs every few weeks; they generally need it anyway. And a little algae doesn't hurt anything.

Korina, falling even farther behind on my washing and repotting