some people like to use the term actinomycetes, which can be confusing. We just call them actinobacteria or actinos. They don't produce mushrooms, and most mushroom producing fungi don't work with row crops.
Dr Elaine Ingham/compost
- Thread starter scotston
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I may have this wrong but I'm sure that was the effect Nicole Masters was saying we should aim for?
Surely if it produces mushrooms then it's a good sign?
Asking as I'm no expert
If you're seeing grey ash - alot, then I'd try and steer the pile towards less heat/more moisture next time. When I compost, I don't tend to see fruiting mushrooms. It depends on how you make your compost. I understand Dr Ingham doesn't really care how anyone composts, only about the biology the process produces.
I would encourage you to buy a microscope, something cheap or second hand and use it to identify the areas on farm where you have lots of biological diverty. Ebay is a risk as they are sensitive bits of kit, but you might spend as little as 60 quid, Brunel Microscopes is a better option. Once your done, sell it on here.
In the current climate, judging the risks, I think it makes sense it know what you have, and what you don't. As above, I'll look at a samples and once I'm finished, I'll add it to my pile
Actinos are a part of hot composting. They are a stage that almost all piles go through, and they help set the scene for other microbes. What you don't want is for it to go dry. It's difficult to restart and you need to rebuild the pile.