Fungi are neither plants nor animals. Scientifically, they represent their own order "Funga". However, their propagation is not fundamentally different from the propagation of different plant species, since they let their spores spread through the air like tiny seeds.

The spread of the spores

Basically, the spread of fungi works like a plant with tiny seeds. If you want to grow mushrooms, you have to spread spores of the desired mushroom species in a suitable place. Sometimes this also works with unwashed mushroom residues that still have spores attached. However, the result is better with professionally manufactured spore sticks from specialist retailers.

The underground mycelium

The edible mushrooms we collect for consumption do not actually represent the whole mushroom. Rather, it is only the fruiting bodies of a plant, which runs through the soil as a mycelium like a widely branched root system. Thus, even without the direct spread of spores, additional fungi can appear on the surface if there is still intact fungal mycelium in the soil. When harvesting, mushrooms should therefore never be torn out of the ground with the mycelium. With a bit of luck, a new mushroom can grow back in the same place in the same season.

Honey fungus as a fungus with underground reproduction

Honey fungus is an impressive example of how fungi reproduce through the underground mycelium. Also used as an edible mushroom, this fungus is very common in some areas of the United States. In the US state of Oregon, a giant honey fungus is considered the largest living thing on earth with dimensions of about 1200 football fields. This giant's subterranean network siphons nutrients and water from coniferous trees and forms honey-yellow fruiting bodies on the surface.

When collecting, think about the multiplication of mushrooms

Mushroom pickers should always think about the future. That is why you should always leave enough mushrooms in the forest, even in years with fewer fungi, so that they can spread their species with their spores. In any case, larger mushroom specimens are usually no longer tasty or already rotten on the inside of their stem.

tips

If fungi are introduced into the grass cover of your home garden through woody soil or turf, the only way to prevent them from multiplying is to change the soil conditions by:

  • Changing the pH value by adding lime
  • Drainage of the waterlogged soil
  • Aeration of the soil by scarifying

If these fungi are left unchecked, the characteristic witch rings often form quickly in the soil through spore multiplication.

Category:

Vegetable garden