Algae Growth in Water Rooting

bushdoctor82

bushdoctor82

Well-known member
I’ve had this cutting rooting in water since Christmas and over the last week roots appear to be forming as well as a black algae looking slime. I’ve tried to wash it off in the sink, but the roots also get knocked off in the process. I’ve also sprayed the cutting with hydrogen peroxide to no avail. Is this algae detrimental, and if so what reasonable measures should be taken?

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bushdoctor82 said:
I’ve had this cutting rooting in water since Christmas and over the last week roots appear to be forming as well as a black algae looking slime. I’ve tried to wash it off in the sink, but the roots also get knocked off in the process. I’ve also sprayed the cutting with hydrogen peroxide to no avail. Is this algae detrimental, and if so what reasonable measures should be taken?

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When rooting in water do you have to change the water, if so how often?
 
I think as a general rule the water is supposed to be changed every day or two at most.

I don't think algea on its own is that bad, as long as it isn't actually rotting. It's rot that indicates that life is leaving the cutting.

It is a bit difficult to tell wet. Is the bark still holding on tightly or does it slip off easily? If yes, that's a bad sign. I think one think you have going for you here is the size of the cutting. It should have lots of reserves

Are you using chlorinated water? Some will say this is detrimental but you get less algea and other microbial growth so for things like this I think it can be helpful over say, spring, well or distilled.
 
I just had a little lightbulb pop up over my head 💡

I used to have brutal algea problems with my hydroponic system. On some advice I added a one of those air stones and pump like are used in aquariums. It immediately fixed the problem. I don't know how practical it is, but if you can get air bubbling into your rooting water, I'd bet it would help.
 
TorontoJoe said:
I think as a general rule the water is supposed to be changed every day or two at most.

I don't think algea on its own is that bad, as long as it isn't actually rotting. It's rot that indicates that life is leaving the cutting.

It is a bit difficult to tell wet. Is the bark still holding on tightly or does it slip off easily? If yes, that's a bad sign. I think one think you have going for you here is the size of the cutting. It should have lots of reserves

Are you using chlorinated water? Some will say this is detrimental but you get less algea and other microbial growth so for things like this I think it can be helpful over say, spring, well or distilled.
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No signs of any rot, just some black algae/slime covering what I hope is the beginning of roots forming on the growths - it’s much easier to see when submerged in water.

The smallest cuttings I tried rooting in water have all succumbed and only the cuttings 3/4” and larger are prevailing at this point.

I am using tap water and after looking at the towns water quality report has a chlorine concentration of 0.2ppm.

I’ll look into the air stone idea.
 
You can try an anti fungal additive in the water.
Also chamomile tea is supposed to have anti fungal properties.
I had tried this in the past, and they did root.
But my up potting was not so successful.
 
ktrain said:
You can try an anti fungal additive in the water.
Also chamomile tea is supposed to have anti fungal properties.
I had tried this in the past, and they did root.
But my up potting was not so successful.
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Your suggestion made me think about honey. Some people use honey as a rooting hormone also it’s antibacterial, would that work?
 
I do believe it has anti fungal properties, but I have never used it for cuttings.
Not sure if that would work or not.
 
Don’t add anything to the water. 🙂 Just use clean water.

Those white bumps are the debris from lenticels underneath them, they aren’t roots. They do change color after a while, that’s normal.

I don’t change the water every day. I only change it if it’s getting cloudy and that’s usually because the bottom has rotted and needs to be cut off.

I’m not sure about the algae growth, it’s hard for me to make out in the pictures. I would only worry about it if it’s slimey. I don’t think it is detrimental at this time.
 
I have rooted in water only and water with an additive, both work...If you continue to have this issue you might want to try something to negate it.
People have different results, using different water, tap water from a well or city water with chemicals in it.....distilled water...these things can have an impact as well.
 
I'm just going to ask this and it's likely been answered but I looked and I didn't see an answer to my exact question.... I have two I think sorry the first one is long because I need to give context and I will attach a picture.

1) tried water rooting with green algae in the water. I have rinsed them off best I can every day for the last week but feel weird about treating them in any way with h2o2. It is my precious Portuguese unknown #5. There were things that made me think it wasn't going to root but it did... And i thought it wasn't going to leaf because every node was scarred up but I have the tiniest little green buds down near the bottom so I'm hoping. I put some very very dilute 10-10-10 in with it to try to make it leaf. Hoping to put in a tree pot but wanted to see the bud do more first although I'm thinking I may need to not wait. So is there something I need to treat with before I pot it and is now ok? Will likely put in a smaller 3x8 tree pot

2. Same green algae in my fig pop bags. Some not ready to up pot. Is it going to kill my babies because they have competition from the algae and do I treat them with anything before up potting or at time of up potting.
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@betdempster

Let me see if I can address some of this from my own experience.

As for h2o2. It’s pretty benign stuff. All it really does is bring down the pH to a level where things like algae aren’t as likely to form. The regular 3% stuff added to water doesn’t really pose a risk to anything.

While I do support the idea of adding some nutrients to potting mix when rooting cuttings… I typically wouldn’t advise it when rooting in water. That will increase the likelihood of algae forming as you are feeding it.

The other thing about rooting in water is that I would tend to keep it in lower light… Especially earlier on when there’s no green grow since it’s not necessary then anyways. Increased light will promote the algae growth.

Changing the water very frequently will also assist with reducing any algae growth. I would consider changing it even daily. In the case of my hydroponic system where I can’t change the water frequently… I added a small aquarium style air pump with a stone aerator. This solved all of my algae problems and keeps the water from becoming stagnant… But frequent changing I think is your best bet.

If you do change the water daily… I think you probably could add a small amount of soluble nutrients without giving algae time to grow

One more consideration on rooting in water. What is your water source? Different people will have different opinions on this but…. My thoughts on using good, clean distilled, spring or even well water… While generally great stuff… Will also allow algae to grow. Something like your typical, treated municipal water will have chlorine or chloramine or something that inhibits algae growth. While in many parts of our lives, we don’t want this… In the case of rooting cuttings, it will actually be less prone to growing other stuff you don’t want. Like algae

If you think you can pot them up without damaging the roots… And I don’t think that’s a bad idea

If you’re getting algae in your fig pop bags… I think excessive light is probably the issue. I would keep the pop part of your cutting covered in foil or otherwise somehow in the dark.

I hope this helps
 
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