Rubbish growing on top of soil / rhizome

[Mytob]

Anyone know what this stuff is and how I get rid of it!? I’ve scraped it off but just keeps coming back.

[billynomates666]

Looks like liverworts to me, spore producing vascular plants, harmless to larger plants but cause problems with seeds.

Link to information https://www.naturespot.org.uk/gallery/liverworts

Cheers

Steve

[Mytob]

Thanks for that. Any idea how I can get rid of it without killing the plants? Found a couple of herbicides on RHS site but says to be used with plants with woody stems such as roses. It’s swamping a lot of my seedlings unfortunately.

[RobH]

You need to try and keep the soil surface drier if possible.  A layer of grit or gravel should do the trick.  Even sand would help for the seedlings.

Edited April 3, 2024 by RobH

[billynomates666]

If they worry me I just pull them up or scrape them off, they dont have deep roots so its fairly easy.

Cheers

Steve

[gardenofeden]

they spread by spores and gemmae, scraping off top layer and replacing helps

[Mytob]

Ok thanks for the info. Will repot a few with it on and put some grit over the top. Would it be worth lighting scrubbing the rhizome with a toothbrush to remove bits on it?