Mattbonsai

Hi Guys,

Recently my Ficus Retusa has had small mushrooms sprouting from the compost, they have a white stem, and a slimy creamy cap.

The Compost is a high in bark mixture (Secret Hillier Recipe ), and I assume these mushrooms are something to do with the bark in the compost.

Would it be possible to use a Copper Fungicide soak in the pot to kill off the mushrooms, which I am certain aren't the produce of mychorrizae, or is there a chance this will have a negative effect to the tree, and an alternative method to get rid of them.

Cheers guys.

-Matt-

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shrimpy

Hi Matt
If you use Copper this will kill fungal growths short term then they will be back you need to change the pH
The bark in the mix will have made it slightly acidic if you sprinkle some Dolomite lime over the surface of the mix then water it in this will add Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate to the mix which will raize the pH which fungus don't like.
A teaspoon of dolomite should do up to 15 litres of mix.

Shrimpy

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If a man is alone working on his Bonsai and he speaks and there is no women to hear him.
is he still wrong ???

Never ever believe anything, Until it has been officially denied:

McBonsai

If you kill the mushrooms, you'll kill all benificial fungi as well. As long as they're not on living wood, they're no problem. There is a article by a unmentionable person on a unmentionable forum that shows off mushrooms as companion plantings. You could also just pick them off and toss them.

Phil

That's unmentionable!

Seriously though, I would agree with McBonsai as don't think these little mushrooms popping up would be harmful in any way aside from perhaps looking unsightly. As he said, just pick them off and toss them.

~Phil~

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Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

centaura

My question about the mushrooms - how moist are you keeping the tree? The fact that you're getting mushroom growth would indicate to me that your potting mix is staying too wet for too long for it to have the moisture to produce mushrooms. My recommendation is to just let it dry out for a day or two, and that should take care of your mushrooms quickly. They can't survive a dry environment and your ficus would be fine being dry for a day or two to dry out the mushrooms.

-Centaura

ganja

eat them and trip out thinking your an ant size to your bonsai

Marrero

DO NOT EAT MUSHROOMS YOU DO NOT KNOW!

Every year people get mushroom poisoning from eating incorrect mushrooms.

Treat those mushrooms like any weed: pick them out. Period.

Phil

From the posts he made I believe he already was eating mushrooms!
That's why he was banned!

~Phil~

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008