Topic: Any tips for getting algae off terracotta pots?

[Charlotte Sometimes]

Since the weather forecast is not so fantastic, I might be planting up some containers tomorrow.  I have several terracotta ones which are far too large for the dishwasher and have that greeny algae stuff all over them.  I intend to attack them with a brush/washing up liquid, etc, but is there anything I can use that will speed it up?  I saw some patent algae/pot cleaner in a catalogue the other day, of course no list of ingredients - I wonder if anyone knows of something useful other than pure elbow grease!?

[kitty]

ooooo-why would you want to?
i think it looks kinda interesting meself!...... ;D

[chrispea27]

 ;D diluted bleach is good and cheap make sure its well washed out though!

[redimp]

I like my pots to go green and white and look old.  I have a large terracotta pot in my garden that has been home to my oregano for about twelve years.  The pot looks fantastic and would probably be worth something to a garden designer.

[TULIP-23]

Charlotte Sometimes ;)

The Organic Catalogue  Page 94 8)

Fountain Cleaner: Removes Algae and Bacteria from Water Features. Helping to keep pumps and outlets
from Clogging.
Safe for both Children and pets and all wildlife.
Also Ideal for Bird baths  Cost 500ml...8:45

Well they idea was there......cheaper maybe to buy some new pots!!    Car  boot Sale maybe    Sure someone there as a much better idea      8)

Just found Page 96 Same Catalogue

Even better Algae and Mould Cleaner    1ltr 7:45

[kitty]

 ;Dredclanger!


bleach?
bleach???????(she shrieked!!!!!
are you trying to poison the whole western world????????
well...ok-maybe that was a bit of an exagerration...
greeny pots look so much more aesthetic than brand spankin new ones-i had to leave a lot at our old house-just too berhoogered to lift anything else-and now i'm starting a whole new dynasty of algaefied pots(btw-red and pete-GIANT terracotta pots-2 for £7 at morrissons...) ;D

[teresa]

I use a wire scourer and hot washing up liq and elbow grease
cheep and cheerfull thats me
Teresa

[RobinOfTheHood]

Pressure washer. Job done.

[Merry Tiller]

Yep, pressure washer is brilliant for this job, it also does a good job of cleaning up wooden garden furniture before oiling or varnishing and it's a lot less bother than sandpaper

[Charlotte Sometimes]

Hmm.  I'm in two minds now.  I like the aged look, but I just worry about the hygeine for the plants.  Will they suffer?  I could just scrub out the insides.   

I don't have a pressure washer, but that sounds like a cool idea for in the future should I get one at some point.

Bleach I had already heard was good for algae on roofing tiles etc, dunno if I'd be happy to use it on the pots though.  I'm uber-organic and the idea doesn't appeal. 

Thanks for the replies, if yu have any more opinions on algae, err, do not hesitate to share!  ;)

[wardy]

I like algae on my terracotta pots and it makes them look worn in.  It does no harm to the plants so I think you should leave it.  I think we should take a tip from our pots and just mellow and chill  :) :) :)

[honeybee]

Funnily enough i was talking about this very subject with my young son last night.
We were watching one of them gardening programmes where they stick natural yoghurt on the pots to encourage the algae growth and he got all kerfuddled wondering why they did that.  ???

So i explained the theory to him.
But i tend to stick to the less is more option, and use the pressure washer to clean off the debris. ;)

But whatever suits, after all thats what gardening is all about, right??  ;D  ;D  ;D

[northener]

Pressure washer 1001 uses

[David R]

I'll pay good money for aged pots! ;),