White stuff on the roots.......

Hi everybody

How do you avoid this to happen?



It is not on all my trees...only a few...why does it come, and how can I remove it?

Kind regards Yvonne

That's probably chemical deposits from your water supply. Using rainwater might help avoid it.

It sometimes can be gotten rid of by scrubbing with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar.

Otherwise, like on pots, a rubbing with a light oil hides it.

Even if you have soft water, you get that residue from fertilizer. The soil needs to drain better. The tree may need repotting. The moss may be interfering with drainage. I would not put oil on the roots.
Iris

Many thanks for the answers, to your both

It's not a mold or a fungus?

Hi Twisted trees

It is residue from fertilizer, as Jim and Iris say, not mould or fungus...I just hoped there was a easy way out of the problem...still hope for this reply

Kind regards Yvonne

I assume you mix fertilizer in water and use a watering can to apply it to the soil.

Being careful and applying the mixture only around the edges of the pot and not on the tree itself, MIGHT reduce the occurrence.

And as far as the oil goes, I wsn't recommending that you grease the trunk. An oily rag will hide it and I can't imagine that would harm the tree. It hasn't seemed to hurt mine.

Hi Jim

I have taken a closer look on the trees who develope the white stuff...it is the trees who need to be watered more times than the others...Maybe I should just use the toothbrush a little more often on theese trees...and yes...I also dont think a little oil on a cloth can harm the tree.

Have a nice day...Kind regards Yvonne

The tree is trying to tell you something. If it needs more frequent watering, it needs better drainage. Next time you repot, use more gravel.
Iris

I dont think this tree need better drainage..it is a azalea pottet in pure kanuma, the other tree is pottet in one part cocopeat, and one part leca...none of theese have ever had a drainage problem.
The "problem" is, that I fertilize a lot, and the trees respond with heavy Growth...this make them need more Water.

kind regards Yvonne