FAQ

Bio Leaf mixes use natural ingredients such as organic compounds and bioactive organic compounds. These can appear as white flecks throughout the mix. You may also see beneficial fungal mycelium, which looks like fine white threads — this is a natural part of nutrient cycling and supports healthy plant growth.

That is beneficial fungal mycelium. It forms when our organic ingredients begin breaking down and releasing nutrients. Simply crumble it through the mix when potting — it helps feed your plants.

Our Fine and Medium Aroid and Hoya mixes are designed with a full nutrient package and graded for small to medium plants or fine and medium root systems giving them the nutrients and drainage that they need to mitigate the risk of root rot.

Our Variegated mix is big and chunky with a reduced nutrient mix. Variegated plants have less green pigment in them so they are unable to photosynthesis to the same extent as their all green relative can. Hence the reduced nutrient blend and chunkier medium to retain less moisture.

Variegated plants can be planted in our fine and medium Aroid and Hoya mixes, they just wont be able to use all the nutrients and they will essentially wasted.

Fungus gnats are naturally drawn to moist, warm, organic environments. Bio Leaf mixes contain bark, tree-fern fibre, pumice, microbes, and nutrients — all of which create a healthy, living growing medium. This environment can sometimes attract fungus gnats, especially if a bag is opened, stored, and then left warm or humid.

Once opened, store your mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If left in the original bag, tiny insects can enter through small gaps and reproduce inside the warm, still environment.

For best quality, use within 4–6 weeks of opening. If stored airtight and in a dry environment, it can last longer, but microbial activity may continue to develop.

Yes. Fungus gnats adults do not affect nutrient quality or plant safety. That is why it is important that you break the breeding cycle by:

• Allowing the top layer of mix to dry before use

• Spreading mix in a shallow tray to dry for 24 hours before potting

• Using sticky traps, tannin drops, mosquito bits and/or natural remedies like neem granules and oils

This reduces and disrupts the population and eventually eliminating them.

Generally, we do not recommend sterilising Bio Leaf mixes, as heat treatment kills beneficial microbes. However, if absolutely needed, you may bake small amounts at low heat (65–80°C) — though this will reduce the biological benefits.