It just looks like normal growth to me. I don't have a khroniana black so I can't be certain for sure though. Honestly if it were me, I'd just let it do it's thing and intervene if the plant's health starts to decline. You could spray it with a fungicidal spray if you're really worried.
The mold on the pon is harmless to plants, I get it on some of mine since it's so humid. I had to really increase the drainage on my soil (equal parts perlite, potting soil, and orchid bark), and the bonsai mix I use for my semi hydro develops the mold if I fill the reservoire up too high.
Same, I really liked Loulan. I do wonder if the gleam in the bush was the hairpin.