Yellow slime mold in the lawn: what to do?

A yellow slime mold is not Lawn disease, because the fungus can appear anywhere, but its smell and consistency make it unpleasant. With sustainable lawn care, the fungus disappears in a short time.

description

The class of slime molds includes over 1000 species worldwide and new species are constantly being discovered. The yellow slime mold, which is also known under the name yellow tan blossom or witch butter, is widespread worldwide. It prefers to colonize dead wood, but can also occasionally be found in the lawn.

Characteristics:

• Scientific name: Fuligo septica
• irregular shape
• similarly small pillows with a height of up to 3 cm
• Color spectrum: white to light yellow; in later stages of development also red and brown tones or greenish tones
• spreads crawling
• dead parts leave a trail of slime

The yellow tan blossom has the advantage that it is not poisonous. In some countries it is even considered a delicate edible mushroom.

Note: You should refrain from eating yellow slime molds unless they are 100% identifiable. In addition, the ideal harvest time is difficult to determine and overaged mushrooms can cause gastrointestinal complaints.

causes

A yellow slime mold can appear all year round if the weather is right. A warm and humid climate is ideal, which favors growth and spread. One of the reasons why the yellow tufted flower gets into the garden is through being introduced via bark mulch.
Bark mulch is often used as a cover in purchased pots or pots. Potted plants. However, the fungal spores can be spread through the air. Therefore, the cause does not necessarily have to be in your own garden, the spores can also come from a neighbor, for example.

Acidic environment preferred

A yellow slime mold can spread over the lawn from a bed area with bark mulch. If you don't have bark mulch in your garden, you should mainly check the areas under the trees. Due to their preference for rotting wood, they also prefer areas in the garden with a more acidic soil. In addition, there are small remains there that they use as a livelihood.
The following factors must be given for a yellow slime mold to settle and spread:

• constant humidity
• Partial or full shade
• at least slightly acidic soil
• suitable climatic conditions (spread mainly from June to September)

Note: The yellow tan blossom spends the first time underground. Only when it is ready to spread its spores does it come to the surface.

Combat by erosion

A yellow slime mold is unsavory at first sight and slime molds are not perceived as fungi at first. But they are to be combated in the same way as other fungi.
The only tool you need is a spade. This will cut out the affected area in the lawn at least as deep as the spade. Pay close attention to traces of slime, because the fungus was already there and there may still be residues in the soil. You shouldn't throw the soil on the compost, but dispose of it in the organic waste bin.

Note: If the slime mold is also in areas other than the lawn, you should also remove and dispose of the material there to prevent it from spreading again.

The slime mold prefers to settle in damp places, so you should use the gouged out Do not just fill the area with soil, but create a drainage so that the water drains off well can.
To top up, do the following:

• bottom layer: approx. Fill in 10 cm of coarse stones and gravel
• middle layer: approx. Pour 5 cm of fine gravel
• top layer: the top layer is a mixture of 1/3 sand and 2/3 garden soil

If the hole is filled up again, you can re-sow the lawn. In the beginning, make sure that you water evenly, but not too much, in order to prevent a renewed fungal infection.

Fungicides unnecessary

Once the slime mold has been removed, it rarely spreads again in the garden, especially if all areas have been completely removed. You can do without fungicides, regardless of whether they are commercially available or home remedies. The slime mold is usually only active for a few days and then disappears again.
Slime mold and, among other things, the yellow tan blossom is extremely insensitive to fungicides. It copes very well with toxins and breaks them down quickly without suffering any great damage. Often with fungicides you even harm the organisms that feed on the slime mold. These include, for example, moss mold beetles (Latridiidae), which feed on these slime molds and other types of fungus.

Differences from lawn mold

Fungi in the lawn that do not have a typical mushroom shape are often referred to as lawn mold. Lawn or snow mold is also a type of fungus, but from the genus Typhula. In comparison to slime mold, lawn mold attacks the grass and can also cause lasting damage.
The slime mold, on the other hand, does not see the grass as a source of food. The fungus feeds primarily on dead organic material. In addition to dead wood, dead grass remains are enough for him.

Prevent reinfection

A yellow slime mold often goes completely unnoticed in the garden, because as quickly as it comes, it disappears just as quickly. Only when it spreads over a large area does it usually attract attention. Those who care for the lawn regularly will also prevent slime or other fungi from settling in it.
Lawn areas that are affected by a lot of shade and therefore also moisture require a lot of care. Here it is even advisable to remove the lawn once and create a drainage underneath.
However, regular lawn care is particularly important:

• Scarify the lawn regularly and remove dead material
• Do not mulch the lawn if there is a risk of slime mold
• Check the pH value regularly and adjust it if necessary
• Remove organic material (leaves, small twigs) promptly

The greatest risk of yellow slime mold settling on lawns is in late summer or late summer. in early autumn. As soon as the first leaves fall, the weather is ideal for the fungus. Little attention is paid to the first leaves that fall to the ground, but if you do them quickly remove, you can prevent the slime mold, as it is not a suitable livelihood from the start finds.

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