Mulch Fungi

With the rains and heat of summer come the vast array of fungi and slime molds (also known as dog-vomit fungi) appearing in mulch. They appear in several sizes and colors with no definite shape. The mold may change on a daily basis from a bright yellow netting, to a tan powder, to a dark brown dried blob.

 

Saprophytes  or Slime molds typically develop during periods of extended rain and other fungi  form in warm and moist conditions and consume dead organic matter, including mulch. Although slime molds may grow on plants, they do not harm them. Slime molds will eventually disappear on their own. If you want to speed this process, rake the mulch and reduce ongoing moisture supply to the area to promote air drying. It is recommended to, when removing a slime mold from your landscape area, use a piece of wet newspaper to cover the spore producing top of the slime mold before removing the landscape surface.  

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Other commonly found Mulch fungi include: 

Stinkhorns, puffballs, birds nest fungi. artillery fungus. 

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Managing these fungi: 

• Rake mulch regularly to improve air flow and prevent compaction 

• Manage irrigation to limit conditions that favor fungal development 

• Remove the reproductive structures (what you can see) and early removal prevents the spores from developing and spreading. 

• Cover with new mulch or replace with mulch that breaks down more slowly. 

 

For additional information regarding theses molds, try the following web sites:

https://plantpathology.mgcafe.uky.edu/files/ppfs-gen-06.pdf
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/slime1.htm
http://herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/FunFacts/SlimeMold.htm