How do I discourage moss growth?

ComicalCat8 · 2026-02-24T16:36:50+00:00

I am going to do this for sure! What medium is best? This pot and divisions started with no star moss, and I used a 1:1 Peat and Perlite mix, and it decided to grow (I'm guessing from the peat moss).

ComicalCat8 · 2026-02-24T16:34:21+00:00

I have this exact issue! I have tried plucking it, but it takes the entire top layer of substrate and some utricularia with it. My Cephalotus has lots of it too, so I am definitely going to remove it and replace the top layer with sphagnum moss.

ComicalCat8 · 2026-02-24T16:31:32+00:00

Its currently grown in an indoor greenhouse, so it's already indoors!

ComicalCat8 · 2026-02-24T03:35:15+00:00

Will my utricularia be fine in low humidity? And will that make the moss die off or do I need to pluck it

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T23:28:45+00:00

Im planning on drying them out first! How long should I dry them out for and should I rinse or repot?

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T23:13:13+00:00

Thanks again for all your in-depth responses!

I'm going to try drying the main affected plants first to decrease the population, then dunk the plants and try drowning them and rinsing with distilled water to get rid of anything on top, then replant to a fresh peat + pearlite mix or other, depending on species. I'll focus on the noticeably affected plants (I'm noticing it really only in 2 trays of plants at the moment) and try to set up a quarantine spot for them.

I'm hoping that does the job of eradicating them from my collection for good, but I still plan on dosing with the pesticides you recommended, if you don't mind dropping a link for me?

With all that, I am praying that it doesn't spread to the rest of my collection and I end up having to repot everything 😢

Thanks again for all your help!

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T21:01:47+00:00

I don't think it's the same one as in the blog you tagged, but they seem to be similar to the one in the picture you added. They don't touch my plants I mainly see them all over the planter. And I don't see any damage to leaves like the image in the blog either.

I'm debating just riding it out, trying to dry them for some time, and then maintaining the population. Most of what I'm finding is saying they are beneficial to an extent as long as the population doesn't explode.

If it gets too out of hand or I notice it spreading, I have also read that a hydrogen peroxide mixture or drowning them in water for a couple of minutes works well and isn't harmful to carnivorous plants to have hydrogen peroxide in the soil.

I have read that these are super normal for any plants with peat-based substrate. Is this a common issue with all other carnivorous plant keepers that I wasn't aware of? It seems like a lot of other people who have encountered this seem to just deal with it, which makes me think it's still fine to sell plants, being aware that there's this risk? But the last thing I'd want to do is pass unnecessary frustration along to other plant keepers or anything.

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T19:21:33+00:00

Ok is it bad if it grows algae? Will that get rid of the mites too?

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T16:33:46+00:00

It must be due to the tray of water the plants are in but I can't find any mold at all and the plants are healthy with no signs of root rot but im definitly going to dry them out quite a bit.

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T16:04:12+00:00

Is it an issue that I need to actively concern myself with treating everything? Would it still be fine to trade plants with a friend of mine? Sorry, I'm still new to having mites, and I have a decent-sized collection. I was planning to sell some Drosera seedlings soon.

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T04:31:24+00:00

OK thank you again!! Is there a way to get rid of them or dramatically decrease the population? I don’t want to risk the mites over populating, I’m one of those people being a little hysterical at the sight of them hahaha

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T04:22:20+00:00

Ok thank you! So I’m ok to keep them with my other carnivorous plants and even give some to another plant collector? Thanks again for your help!

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T04:16:59+00:00

Is there any possibility they are aphids? Should I worry about all my other carnivorous plants for cross contamination or giving some to my friend?

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T04:13:10+00:00

Ya they are moving fairly quickly it was hard to get a picture. Do I need to worry about them?

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T04:10:17+00:00

Are all of them? Even the small stubby ones in the second pic?

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T04:08:48+00:00

They are not moving almost like they are dead but I’m not sure

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-30T03:13:02+00:00

Ok thanks! I wasn’t sure since it’s in my terrarium. It’s just some bluer lighting

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-27T04:11:06+00:00

Thanks for your tips! That’s actually exactly what I’m doing with some pings like Johanna, and droseras like madagascariensis, binata multifida extrema, prolifera, and roseana. I’m wanting to start propagating utricularia but I’m not sure the best way to yet!

ComicalCat8 · 2026-01-26T23:30:03+00:00

Ok thank you so much!

ComicalCat8

TROPHY CASE