Identify this growth?

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peejayw

1841 posts

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#179376 6-Sep-2015 11:49

Hi,

Can anyone identify this stuff and suggest how I might kill it? Its a green-brown growth, slippery and slimy, somewhat resembles seaweed. When it dries it turns black and goes quite crispy. It gets raked up frequently but just comes back again.

Any suggestions?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4CbAcs-uc8xb25LYVpSM3lJaVk/edit

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4CbAcs-uc8xOGtwMmZkZ3NmYnc/edit

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#1380545 6-Sep-2015 11:52

Changed to links as Google Drive is removing the ability to serve some content so images weren't appearing.

Fred99

13684 posts

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#1380547 6-Sep-2015 12:01

It's called Nostoc Commune.
I'm guessing that a bactericide (like the active in "wet and forget") might be more effective than herbicides, but it might take some killing - and might grow back fast too.

DarthKermit

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#1380553 6-Sep-2015 12:16

Slime?

Fred99

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#1380556 6-Sep-2015 12:26

DarthKermit: Slime?

Edible slime - apparently.
You'd need to be even braver than the first person to eat an oyster.

Batman

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#1380559 6-Sep-2015 12:44

Didymo?

peejayw

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#1380560 6-Sep-2015 12:46

Thanks all, looks like it is Nostoc Commune. Now to figure out what will deal to it.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Athlonite

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#1380593 6-Sep-2015 15:02

Petrol and a match will get rid of it

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tdgeek

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#1380608 6-Sep-2015 15:10

salt water sprayed on it?

ubernoob

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#1380666 6-Sep-2015 16:24

Hmm interesting, thanks.
This link has a suggestion for a "cure"

http://www.downgardenservices.org.uk/bluegreenalgae.htm

although maybe you should scrape it up and put it in your petrol tank ??? No don't

lNomNoml

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#1380670 6-Sep-2015 16:28

Athlonite: Petrol and a match will get rid of it

Agrweed with this.

raytaylor

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#1380728 6-Sep-2015 18:45

On a sunny dry day, I would just try pouring some salt on it, and then a little bit of water with the watering can.
Over a few days it should kill it, and then water blast it off.

Failing that, the spray and walk away stuff would probably work - there is a similar product that you put onto your roof which might also be good for it.

Ray Taylor

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SepticSceptic

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#1380995 7-Sep-2015 11:01

Spray and Walk Away doesn't seem work, glycol weedkiller doesn't work, petrol - maybe, ,,,,

This edible revolting muck is usually found in gravel driveways, and can form large icky drifts if unchecked. You can control it, but never fully eradicate it. The smallest flake will multiply like crazy once it gets moisture. Flakes will get stuck in tyres and shoes, grass verges, etc.

I have found spraying with cheap homebrand bleach will work, but takes a month or two to break it down. If you leave it for a few minutes, it will show any spots you have missed, as the bleach will lighten the mould.

I did use an algaecide / moss killer with good results, but seems more difficult to locate these days.

peejayw

1841 posts

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#1381003 7-Sep-2015 11:17

I have found spraying with cheap homebrand bleach will work, but takes a month or two to break it down. If you leave it for a few minutes, it will show any spots you have missed, as the bleach will lighten the mould.

I did use an algaecide / moss killer with good results, but seems more difficult to locate these days.

Do you recall what strength you used the bleach at? I was thinking of getting some cheap swimming pool chlorine and making a solution from that but no idea what strength to use.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

blackjack17

1705 posts

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#1381018 7-Sep-2015 11:30

Copper should work

http://www.yates.co.nz/products/disease-control/concentrates/yates-liquid-copper-fungicide/

http://www.nufarm.co.nz/NZ/TriBaseBlue

Bleach breaks down easily so it won't last.

Make the copper solution up at 2 to 3 times the recommended conc. Note that copper is quite bad if it gets into waterways so don't use it when rain is expected and don't dispose of any used solution down the drain.

Most plant shops/hardware shops/farm shops should stock it

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BlueShift

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#1381020 7-Sep-2015 11:30

peejayw:

I have found spraying with cheap homebrand bleach will work, but takes a month or two to break it down. If you leave it for a few minutes, it will show any spots you have missed, as the bleach will lighten the mould.

I did use an algaecide / moss killer with good results, but seems more difficult to locate these days.

Do you recall what strength you used the bleach at? I was thinking of getting some cheap swimming pool chlorine and making a solution from that but no idea what strength to use.

There's two types of 30 Seconds cleaner - one is sodium hypchlorite based and the other is benzylkonium chloride which is an algicide. If you read the side of the container, it will tell you the concentration of bleach they use, its probably on their website somewhere too. Then you can choose your own source of bleach and dilute to suit.

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