Fungus identification and solution
RichM
Posts: 5
Hello!
I'm hoping someone can help me identify this fungus. There's a little bit along the soil surface next to the plant but a TON along the roots. I noticed while trying to transplant. Any ideas on what this is? I think I may already know but want some unbiased second opinions first. Thanks!
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I WOULD SAY THAT IT CAME WITH THE COMPOST AND IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
It is a new development unfortunately and did not used to be there. I've had the plant for 3 years.
Nearly all fungus is beneficial and is the only thing which can break down dead woody matter in the soil into nutrients which plants can use, so is generally nothing to worry about. The few fungi which can cause damage to plants are normally only found in the ground and don't infect compost in pots. I would just repot the plant and shake off as much of the old compost as you can as it has already done it's job.
Even if it is attached almost exclusively to the roots? My thought was that it might be Southern Blight.
It looks to me like a perfectly normal fungus breaking down organic matter in the soil. What sort of plant is it and where is it growing?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Another thought. Root aphids can look like white fungus on the roots and their waxy covering is white and does come to the surface if the soil is disturbed.
That's a good thought Berghill - particularly as the poster says there's a lot on the roots - although I've never seen the waxy stuff coming to the surface as in his photo - but then I've never seen a really bad infestation ... fingers crossed.
I'd like to know what the plant is - it looks very much like a daffodil to me, from what we can see ......... a bulb of some sort anyway, so likely to die down and regrow each year
Last edited: 18 October 2016 09:22:07
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
UK based - never heard of Southern blight. Are you in the vulnerable part of the USA?
The plant looks perfectly healthy. I don't think this is anything to worry about. Can you post a photo of the affected roots?
Haha, well that's what I get for typing "gardening forum" into Google. Yes I am USA based and technically north of the majorly affected areas but still possible.
The plant was gifted to me unlabeled so unfortunately I don't know any specifics other than that it is a spider variety. It's hard to see in the new photos as I just clipped away everything dead but it used to be even more vibrant a than it is now - a much fuller green with twice as many babies.