Vermicomposting, worm bin, composting with worms community and forums
Growing mushrooms---very much by accident
My latest bin (now about 2 months old) is actually a wooden box I had made as a chicken brooder. It's about 5'x2' with 2 different compartment (originally to brood chicks and pheasants separately). Each compartment has a top lid made of wire (framed).
In the right compartment I set up the ingredients per Bentley's suggestions for starting a new bin (what I have done for both my previous bins). I added 5lbs of worms to this when it was ready and it is humming along nicely. Actually, I could probably harvest a bunch of vermicompost already---those guys are really eating!
In the left compartment I dumped a bunch of aged chicken manure and wood shavings (actually the contents from the brooder this past spring). I learned a little lesson in composting--since I assumed it was well aged but once I added water everything heated up. I had to let this work its way through the compost cycle for several weeks before it cooled enough to put worms in. Recently I added a bunch of coffee grounds and waited a few more weeks. Last week I divided an existing bin and put all the worms, eggs, and vermicompost in this compartment.
I'm finding that the worms are spread evenly throughout this left compartment and seem to be doing well. The temp. is about right. The only problem is that mushrooms are popping up all over the place. Big ones...but frankly they look a bit scary. Apart from the fact that I'm a little worried I'm going to be breathing in toxic mushroom spores, I'm wondering if the presence of mushrooms indicates a larger problem. I added a bunch of newspaper bedding to the top and moistened it, but they just pop up through that.
Should I be concerned?
In the right compartment I set up the ingredients per Bentley's suggestions for starting a new bin (what I have done for both my previous bins). I added 5lbs of worms to this when it was ready and it is humming along nicely. Actually, I could probably harvest a bunch of vermicompost already---those guys are really eating!
In the left compartment I dumped a bunch of aged chicken manure and wood shavings (actually the contents from the brooder this past spring). I learned a little lesson in composting--since I assumed it was well aged but once I added water everything heated up. I had to let this work its way through the compost cycle for several weeks before it cooled enough to put worms in. Recently I added a bunch of coffee grounds and waited a few more weeks. Last week I divided an existing bin and put all the worms, eggs, and vermicompost in this compartment.
I'm finding that the worms are spread evenly throughout this left compartment and seem to be doing well. The temp. is about right. The only problem is that mushrooms are popping up all over the place. Big ones...but frankly they look a bit scary. Apart from the fact that I'm a little worried I'm going to be breathing in toxic mushroom spores, I'm wondering if the presence of mushrooms indicates a larger problem. I added a bunch of newspaper bedding to the top and moistened it, but they just pop up through that.
Should I be concerned?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eve on -
In his blog on RedWormComposting Bentley talks about the fungi growing in his 50-cocoon-challenge-update-2 bin.
He says the fungi are not a problem.
I was a little more concerned with the chicken manure. I was under the understanding that we weren't to add more than 10% poltery manure to 90% bedding. But it sounds like you have pre composted and may get away with a larger amount.
Vermiculture_FarmersManual
Chart on page 7 it shows up on page 12 on my browser.
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Permalink Reply by rom mendoza on -
Commercial mushroom operations grow them in manure in the dark and is kept damp so I don't think it's unusual for them to grow in a bin that gives them the right growing conditions (worm bin). You probably aren't at risk of toxic spores if you pull them up and destroy them before they get to that stage.
Not able to tell the difference between poisonous and edible mushrooms though. Anyone know if a poisonous mushroom decomposing in a worm bin can poison us or the worms?
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Permalink Reply by Erick on -
Here in the Netherlands (no idea of the kind of mushrooms you have in the USA) I wouldn't worry about it unless you know you are prone to allergies. Just make sure to wash your hands after handling them and keep them out of that omelet. Mycelia (and the resulting mushrooms) are a normal part of most ecosystems and unless it really starts to dominate everything else in your worm bin I wouldn't be surprised if it benefits the worms in some way.
I would try to identify the mushroom just in case it is poisonous, since you wouldn't want to have the risk of pets/children accidentally getting in there.
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Permalink Reply by Michael on -
I'd be interested to see what these mushrooms look like, could you possibly add a picture? I recently had a yellow mold outbreak in my bin, it too was scary looking!
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Permalink Reply by Stevesd on -
When I leave my bins alone for more than a few days, which is seldom, (i'm nosey) all kinds of mushrooms, toadstools and molds show up. they are really a natural part of the process of breaking down cellulose. I you constantly fluff you dont see the fruiting bodies(actual mushrooms) but the mycellium (vegetative growth) is still there to some extent in the bin. I've seen some interesting looking mushrooms in lots of shapes and sizes from the size of thumb tacks to big as a dinner plate. They really have never hurt the worms so far as I can tell. I just break them up and put them uner the surface..worms take care of the rest. Neat little organisms though. They shouldn't bother your allergies unless you let them ripen into the sporing stage. Then they could possibly cause some problems. Keep them turned under and know that your bin is operating just as it should. Steve. happy worming
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