Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have white mold growing on my soilless mix. Will it harm anything?

A: Saprophytes are beneficial microorganisms that work in composting bark. These are generally harmless to plants. Sometimes when bags of mix are stored for a while, saprophytes can form white mycelium (thread-like structures) on the mix surface that are visible when you open the bag. This will dissipate when the mix dries out and is exposed to the sunlight. Sometimes the mold can make a mix harder to wet. In that case a treatment of Aqua-Gro® media surfactant will help.

Q: My bark mix has an unusual smell?

A: Scotts mixes that contain bark also contain fertilizers like gypsum and methylene urea (blue chip). Sometimes when these mixes get too wet during storage, an anaerobic condition is created. Small amounts of ammonia and sulfurous gases can be created in these situations that are released when the bag is opened. This smell is harmless to plants and will quickly dissipate when the mix is ventilated.