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Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: January 29th, 2024, 4:53 pm
by Timritchie
Hi just doing some work on a fig and noticed these 2-3mm black globules in the moss. Anyone know what it is? Thanks Tim
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Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: January 29th, 2024, 5:01 pm
by shibui
Not absolutely sure but my guess is some sort of algae?
Have you been keeping it pretty wet?
Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: January 29th, 2024, 5:10 pm
by Timritchie
Hi shibui yes the tree gets watered twice a day by automatic system
I was thinking a type of algae but I’ve only seen green type before. So I guess I should remove all affected moss and quarantine the tree and hand water. No other trees on the same bench with this problem?
Thanks Tim
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Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: January 29th, 2024, 5:16 pm
by TimS
Yeah i've seen it/ had it before on overly wet trees or trees with significant moss on the surface. I've always assumed it was related to the moss or algae of some type.
I'd remove all the moss for now, and inspect how damp the soil actually is staying then water accordingly.
Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: January 29th, 2024, 6:09 pm
by Timritchie
Thanks Tim good to know I don’t have to burn the tree!
The fig hasn’t seen any love for awhile and the moss has been going off in this humidity so I’ve removed all moss scrubbed the trunk and moved it to a dry bench to be hand watered
Thanks Tim
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Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: January 30th, 2024, 7:23 am
by delisea
It looks like a slime mold. Slime molds are related to fungi. I bet they will disappear when the humidity drops.
Cheers,
Symon
Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: February 9th, 2024, 5:09 pm
by Timritchie
Hi the algae is appearing on other trees/ moss now, seems to be associated with leftover dynamic lifter? So I’ve been busy cleaning it
Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: February 11th, 2024, 2:06 pm
by Joel
The organism in your pot is a Cyanobacterium in the genus "Nostoc". I've never had to treat it but you may be able to investigate suitable treatments now you've got a name.
Re: Help to identify black globules in moss
Posted: March 12th, 2024, 10:18 pm
by Timritchie
Thanks Joel
Sorry for the late reply and thanks for the ID!
As I may have mentioned earlier it seems to be connected to applying pelletised fertiliser direct to soil surface.
With the very hot weather here in Nowra I’ve erred on the side of caution and “ overwatered “ 10 minutes twice a day, recently I reduced to 7 minutes x 2 / day and we had 35c today, the moss had shrunk and the dried algae sludge was easily brushed off.
I have fashioned some fly screen pyramid “teabags” to contain the fertiliser and that seems to be helping as well
Thanks again Tim
