compost heap fungi
Midday Sunday, a strange mould or fungi, bright yellow, almost chrome yellow, on top of a compost heap. An hour and a half later it had changed, the surface starting to brown. This was more noticeable mid-afternoon. By late afternoon, early evening, the surface was browned as though it was a loaf of bread just out of the oven. The fungi had appeared during the morning or overnight as it was not there the day before.
During the morning there had been heavy, fine rain. The previous two weeks or more, hot dry weather, though the compost heap had been watered with lukewarm water to stop it from drying out.
The compost heap consists of mainly garden weeds, autumn leaves, with vegetable scraps from the kitchen and scrunched up paper to provide fibre.
On at least one other occasion there has been a similar mould or fungi on the top of the compost heap, but not seen on any other compost heap.
What is it?
Tags: compost, compost heap, fungi, garden, mould
Keithpp's Blog 
February 25, 2012 at 5:24 pm |
I have that too in my yard as a result of throwing old mushrooms to make compost. I found your photo as well as this one from Univ of Connecticut.
http://uconnladybug.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/mulch-molds-what-is-growing-on-my-mulch/
Sounds like its good. Hope this helps.
March 24, 2013 at 5:12 am |
Thanks so much for posting the Connecticut Univ. info – I was concerned I’d done something terribly wrong to my compost pile.
May 31, 2013 at 10:48 pm |
Hello, just came across your photo online in researching a type of mold growing in my compost pile. It looks like you have what’s called “dog vomit” mold/slime. I’ve reaad that it isn’t harmful. http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/chicago_gardener/2007/06/dog-vomit-slime.html
Aside from that, I noticed that you have colored, glossy paper in your pile. I’ve read many resources saying that you really should not add those types of papers and inks to your compost.
October 16, 2015 at 8:38 pm |
I have a lighter colour version of this mould in my compost heap as well. It appeared overnight, I think it maybe commercial bread scraps that I dug into the heap some days ago. I had noticed that this type of bread doesn’t break down quickly, What are we eating?
October 16, 2015 at 9:19 pm |
No, nothing to do with bread.
If the bread was contaminated, the fungi would not grow.
May 28, 2016 at 2:13 pm |
I noticed the yellow stuff creeping out of the bottom of my compost bin. It was dry and hot here for about a week. Sooooo, last night before dark I threw water on the top of the bin cover. Yikes, this morning there was more growth. I hear that it’s not toxic,; so not a problem. I only have leaves, from last year, fruit and veggie scraps. That’s it. Has anyone asked the American Horticultural Society or one of the state extension services why this is happening? Let me know.
June 6, 2020 at 2:22 am |
Did you ever find out. Had the same fungus appear today after a warm rain