moss on compost in plug trays

nemo · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:03 pm Post subject: moss on compost in plug trays

i have several new plug trays filled with compost and i have seeds sown the seedlings germinated but the surface of the compost has a green moss like plant growing on it .the tunnel is well ventilated i tried keeping the compost on the dry side in an attempt to stop the moss growing with no sucess they have goo light
should i use perlight
what should i do
nemo

inishindie · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:45 pm Post subject:

Are you using tap water?

nemo · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:42 pm Post subject:

yes tap water from mains water supply

inishindie · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:25 pm Post subject:

If the green mossy stuff slippery and wet looking? If tap water is used on compost you get this pesky algae growth, it might be liverwort that thrives on the ph of tap water...

We got a big problem with liverwort when we were growing plants in pots. Even if the transplanted seedlings had a trace of the algae it would eventually cover the pots and kill the plants due to the lack of water being able to get into the pot.

The green algae stays wet but the soil underneath eventually gets bone dry. If you have a pic of it could you post it then we can be sure. Here's a rundown of the types:

Algae: Algae found covering the surface of borders may be either a green, powdery deposit or a dark jelly-like growth, known as gelatinous algae.

Liverworts: Liverworts on borders usually have a green, flattened, plate-like body and no leaves. A common example is Marchantia, which is often topped with umbrella-like sexual organs.

Moss: There are several types of moss that colonise borders. These mosses may form large, coarse, loose, green or yellowish-green tufts, densely matted tufts, or compact green cushions.

The answer is to use rainwater on the compost...

Check out the RHS page too for a pic...:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=412