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mushrooms around compost
ice
Posts: 332
Finally made it out today to empty kitchen water and noticed mushroom type growth growing near compost. Anything to worry about? Will upload photo later when not on phone
0
Posts
Just Nature's way of breaking down organic matter - it's what you expect around compost
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
As said, quite normal, and it is helping the compost process. Fungi can break down cellulose and lignin from woody matter, producing humus. You might get some lovely species, it's worth watching them, to see what you get.
They are cup fungi, probably in the genus Peziza. To id them you'd need almost certainly need to use a microscope. Peziza cerea and P. varia are two possibilities.
If you tap one, you might see a cloud of spores expelled. Place one against your ear, and tap it, and you might hear fizzing, which is the sound of the spores being expelled from gun like tubes called asci (pronounced 'ah-sigh').
Peziza spcies appear whenever it is wet, not too hot, not too cold. Take a look at piles of animal manure, you'll find loads.
I don't know why that last message left lots of question marks! I replied from my phone sitting in bed
. It was a thumbs up icon and a smiley face! Ive hoofed myself out and come to use the proper computer downstairs!
Thanks again Ice.