Honey fungus discovered in compost!
GillH
Posts: 4
Digging out compost at the bottom of my wooden compost bin, I was concerned to find the characteristic bootlaces or rhizomorphs creeping up the sides and around the rremaining compost.
Both bins are sited over a patch of garden which used to have an old escallonia hedge on it. I'm sure the roots were not dug out. There are also a lot of old trees around (next door).
I think this is Armillaria gallica which is supposedly less dangerous than some other kinds of honey fungus: the bootlaces are quite visible tough rootlike structures. I gather it is often found in compost.
My gut feeling is to get rid of the compost as I have susceptible shrubs and plants in every border, resite the bins somewhere else and dig out the old hedge roots. Has anyone had a similar experience, or advice to offer? All suggestions very gratefully received!
Posts
Not with honey fungus, but I've just had to empty my compost bin because my neighbour's bindweed, which is always coming under the fence, was growing up through it. A rummage in the garage produced two sheets of hardwood, from a dismantled wardrobe. I've stood the bin on top of them. Too soon to know how well it will keep the bindweed out, but you might try something of the sort.
Hi there. I stand all my compost bins on weed control or paving slabs. This keeps out unwanted things-even rats. I make loads of compost a year so it is of no detriment at all not standing on earth. I have one bin in each of front and back garden and just keep filling them and empty in spring. On allotment I have six bins as well as three for leaves. the sixth bin is emptied and used the others are then moved on every six weeks ish. This summer it was after four weeks as it was so hot and got done quickly. In the winter when it stops working I stop moving on.
Regarding the honey fungus we just found it in the garden. We dug out every bit of root and soil and disposed of at the tip. We planted a wisteria in the place where the big tree had been but put it in a huge container which we sunk into the huge hole caused by all the soil removal. Some plants are fairly resistant to honey fungus. Some are not. I googled a list but don't think I kept it. That's why the wisteria had to go in a double lined pot As we had already bought it. we have piled new soil on top added rockery stones and got some alpines to cover the area. Hopefully nothing will die again.
These suggestions were terribly helpful, thank you very much.
It may be worthwhile disposing of the compost. Honey fungus stays in soil for years and can decimate trees and shrubs like few other diseases can. The number of susceptible species is alarming and having witnessed the affect it had on a relative's garden, it was shocking.