bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - White/Grey Mold On Soil Surface

It is difficult to know the species of fungus(mold) that is growing on the soil surface in the picture you show us.
However, there are many species of fungi or molds that grow on soil surfaces and which have a greyish white color. Fungi are everywhere and unless you are in a sterile environment, you can sample the air or the surface of anything and always find them present, so it's not surprising to find them on soil surface when the environmental conditions for their growth is present.
Fungi cannot grow without moisture. First, moisture is required in order for the spores to germinate. Although fungi also need oxygen, removing moisture is the most effective method for halting growth.

environment (food) + moisture = mold growth

environment (food) – moisture = no mold growth

Most fungi are saprophytic, which means that they feed upon dead, decaying matter. Some are parasitic in that they derive their nutrition from living organisms but these types do not usually grow on soil surfaces. The saprophytic fungi help decay the debris which accumulate on the soil.

There is always a food source available in the environment and the fungi will feed on many different organic materials. They are microscopic and until a large enough mass has accumulated they can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. Because they are so small, even a very thin film of dust and debris will yield an abundance of food.
The fungi have an advantage over the bacteria in some soil environments because they can bridge gaps between pockets of moisture and continue to survive and grow.
Saprophytic fungi of this type in the soil is not harmful but can be beneficial in improving the soil fertility in the process of decomposition of the organic material.
The best thing to do is keep sterring the soil surface to burry the fungal growth and try keeping the surface as dry as possible.

24-Feb-2005	#8
ALDEVAUX bonsaiTALK Master Join Date: Mar-2004 Location: St-Hyacinthe, P.Québec Country: CANADA USDA Zone: 4 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 449	It is difficult to know the species of fungus(mold) that is growing on the soil surface in the picture you show us. However, there are many species of fungi or molds that grow on soil surfaces and which have a greyish white color. Fungi are everywhere and unless you are in a sterile environment, you can sample the air or the surface of anything and always find them present, so it's not surprising to find them on soil surface when the environmental conditions for their growth is present. Fungi cannot grow without moisture. First, moisture is required in order for the spores to germinate. Although fungi also need oxygen, removing moisture is the most effective method for halting growth. environment (food) + moisture = mold growth environment (food) – moisture = no mold growth Most fungi are saprophytic, which means that they feed upon dead, decaying matter. Some are parasitic in that they derive their nutrition from living organisms but these types do not usually grow on soil surfaces. The saprophytic fungi help decay the debris which accumulate on the soil. There is always a food source available in the environment and the fungi will feed on many different organic materials. They are microscopic and until a large enough mass has accumulated they can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. Because they are so small, even a very thin film of dust and debris will yield an abundance of food. The fungi have an advantage over the bacteria in some soil environments because they can bridge gaps between pockets of moisture and continue to survive and grow. Saprophytic fungi of this type in the soil is not harmful but can be beneficial in improving the soil fertility in the process of decomposition of the organic material. The best thing to do is keep sterring the soil surface to burry the fungal growth and try keeping the surface as dry as possible.