Highland Holiday Cottages have been investigating why there has suddenly been such growth of fungi in the woods nearby to our cottages. The conditions have obviously been perfect, but what are the conditions required???
We’ve had lots of guests at Highland Holiday Cottages wanting to know more… so here goes!
Fungi will grow anywhere there is a source of food and continuous moisture - old animal waste, rotting tree stumps and roots and just about anywhere else that it can get a free meal. Fungi usually do not grow rapidly if the environment is clean and dry. Soil-borne fungi are essential for the decay of plant and animal matter. As such, compost heaps and potting composts can contain extremely high numbers of fungal spores. Fungi also grow in stored grain and can reach very high levels if grain moisture is above certain thresholds. Conditions are also ideal for fungal growth in many caves. Some fungi are parasitic, that is they rely on living organisms as a food source. Other fungi are symbiotic meaning they have a close relationship with other organisms, such as in lichens.
Mushrooms can grow providing they receive a constant temperature of between 15 and 21°C – if even temperatures can be maintained they will thrive. So the temperature up at Highland Holiday Cottages have obviously been perfect, as we have been experiencing beautiful weather here in the last couple of weeks!
They will grown in rich, moist compost, usually containing well-rotted animal manure. They require a pH between 7.5 and 8.5.
Mushrooms like sunshine and may not fare well in the shade. So the outcome is that they like sunshine, showers and a constant temperature…. Just like the guests at Highland Holiday Cottages. Sunshine for the walks, showers for cuddling up on the sofa and a constant warm temperature to enjoy the views!!
We look forward to welcoming you to Highland Holiday Cottages on a Wild Foraging course next season!!!
Happy picking – and remember, only eat what you can positively identify.
We’ve had lots of guests at Highland Holiday Cottages wanting to know more… so here goes!
Fungi will grow anywhere there is a source of food and continuous moisture - old animal waste, rotting tree stumps and roots and just about anywhere else that it can get a free meal. Fungi usually do not grow rapidly if the environment is clean and dry. Soil-borne fungi are essential for the decay of plant and animal matter. As such, compost heaps and potting composts can contain extremely high numbers of fungal spores. Fungi also grow in stored grain and can reach very high levels if grain moisture is above certain thresholds. Conditions are also ideal for fungal growth in many caves. Some fungi are parasitic, that is they rely on living organisms as a food source. Other fungi are symbiotic meaning they have a close relationship with other organisms, such as in lichens.
Mushrooms can grow providing they receive a constant temperature of between 15 and 21°C – if even temperatures can be maintained they will thrive. So the temperature up at Highland Holiday Cottages have obviously been perfect, as we have been experiencing beautiful weather here in the last couple of weeks!
They will grown in rich, moist compost, usually containing well-rotted animal manure. They require a pH between 7.5 and 8.5.
Mushrooms like sunshine and may not fare well in the shade. So the outcome is that they like sunshine, showers and a constant temperature…. Just like the guests at Highland Holiday Cottages. Sunshine for the walks, showers for cuddling up on the sofa and a constant warm temperature to enjoy the views!!
We look forward to welcoming you to Highland Holiday Cottages on a Wild Foraging course next season!!!
Happy picking – and remember, only eat what you can positively identify.
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