Are these mushrooms dangerous? (2 types)

6 years ago

I think I'm done with these organic soils.

The first image shows smaller mushrooms popping up all over in our cucumber pots (veggie mix soil) as well as other plants (e.g. cactus mix soil).

The second image is in a succulent (cactus mix soil).

Are either of these dangerous? Any help is appreciated!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

Mushrooms that appear in potting soil - any kind of potting soil - are not dangerous to the plants growing in the pots. They're just the fruiting bodies of saprophytic fungi or those responsible for breaking down dead organic matter. And virtually all potting soils will have some sort of OM as part of the mix.

They can be an indication that you might be keeping the soil a bit too damp........

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Comments (8)

Tyler D (NorCal 9b)
Original Author
6 years ago
Gardengal48 I appreciate the input!
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bragu_DSM 5
6 years ago
Do NOT eat them ...
Tyler D (NorCal 9b) thanked bragu_DSM 5
HighColdDesert
6 years ago
I agree. Good for soil, but don't risk eating even a tiny bit of them (unless you are an experienced mushroom hunter, which I think you are not)
Tyler D (NorCal 9b) thanked HighColdDesert
Tyler D (NorCal 9b)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the additional comments. I'd never think to eat them -- I was more worried about handling/removing (and whether they'd maybe spread dangerous spores or somehow poison the food). I have no experience with mushrooms whatsoever!
User
6 years ago
Hopefully you have no small kids around either who might pluck them to play w/ or eat.
Tyler D (NorCal 9b) thanked User
Tyler D (NorCal 9b)
Original Author
6 years ago
Karen -- no worries there (it's just my wife & I). Our cat loves the garden but he thankfully stays away from any of that stuff.
rifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)
6 years ago
Excellent use of the subjective (“it’s just my wife and I”), Tyler.

Many years ago, in a Philadelphia suburb, I was called down to see an older guy. Just before the writhing delirium with copious secretions from everywhere began, he was able to mutter “ I knew this would happen”. Later his wife brought in the mushrooms. From the backyard. She said she had warned him. He survived.