Thursday, 31 May 2018

Red Algae.



Red Algae can be a menace. On houses it can cover the walls in very little time, and isn't easy to treat. I think it arrived in this region about 30 years ago, and has since become quite a problem.

The Algae is a microalgae (Trentepohlia) which usually starts life as green, then turns red with age. I have seen new houses around here that are covered. The Algae seems to like cement rendering more than actual stone.

Usually it's an unsightly mess, but on my poolside urn I rather like it.




30 comments:

Ursula said...

Looks amazing.

The one thing I associate with algae, mainly from my childhood, are those long fingered ones that "caress" your legs when swimming in certain types of water. DON'T TOUCH ME!

U

Donna OShaughnessy said...

I like it on your urn too. Many folks here spend tidy sums at the craft shops buying paints and fixatives to get that Faux Algae look. People. Are. Strange. Just like Jim Morrison said.

Maria said...

I like it! I also like what I see behind; you must have a beautiful flower garden.
Greetings Maria x

Sue said...

It gives the urn a wonderful patina.

Cro Magnon said...

As long as that type of Algae doesn't turn out to have been a Shark; OK.

Cro Magnon said...

Yes, this is the real thing. It arrived just this year.

Cro Magnon said...

Not really Maria. The rose was given to me by a good friend. He called it 'Pink Pixie', but I think he invented the name.

Cro Magnon said...

It does, doesn't it. I've only just noticed it.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Your urn is coming on a treat Cro and the succulent should start tipping over the edge soon. I love a bit of algae, be it red or green. It gives that lovely aged look. I put live yoghurt on my pots etc to get the algae and moss to grow. XXXX

Susan Heather said...

As you say, it looks good on your urn.

Cro Magnon said...

The succulent has been there for about two years (or more), and it hasn't moved. I don't think it can be the same variety as your one. I did paint this with Yog when I first bought it; I think it helped.

Cro Magnon said...

It doesn't look good on houses.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

It looks as if there are some tendrils coming ..... they do take a while as they are very slow growing. It took mine a while ! XXXX

northsider said...

I read that a lot of algae will only grow where the air is clean.

Cro Magnon said...

That's encouraging; I was almost thinking of replacing it.

New World said...

This red urn is alright but I've looked at it more than once this morning and it is like saying the same word over and over again and it ceases to be real. I feel like that about the red algae. If you know what I mean.

Cro Magnon said...

Quite right. Most of our trees are covered with lichens too, which is also a good sign.

Cro Magnon said...

It's real enough. Strange that there are other cement rendered surfaces nearby, but none of them has it.

Tom Stephenson said...

It is on a lot of stone here, but only in the country, not town. I like it.

Anonymous said...

No one wants to see a pristine urn. I like it.

John Going Gently said...

Well I never....

Cro Magnon said...

It doesn't seem to live on stone here; much more on cement rendered walls.

Cro Magnon said...

All old urns should be weathered. Newness doesn't look right.

Cro Magnon said...

Is it your birthday tomorrow John? If it is, may I be first to wish you a very happy one!

Ursula said...

Last year I phoned LSF (longest standing friend) the night before his birthday since he is a popular man; notoriously difficult to get hold of him on the phone on the day (we live in different countries).

Wrong move. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that to congratulate someone BEFORE midnight of the actual day brings bad luck (to the birthday boy/girl). Oh, Cro - sometimes I flee here, to your oysters and Haddocks, to get some peace. It's difficult to put a foot wrong among rows of onions. Or is it?

U

potty said...

Must have used Strawberry or Cherry Yog.

Cro Magnon said...

I'm so used to having family in far flung places that sending early greetings is normal. I have yet to hear of disasters.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I love the algae on that urn. Fill it with my Mares Tail and you have finally cracked it.

Cro Magnon said...

I've got my own. It appeared recently on the edge of the orchard; it must have come from next door!

Brenda said...

I have a serious problem with red algae in our concrete bird bath. Have tried everything but still end up scrubbing it out with a pottery scrub brush. *sigh*

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