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Weird soil mushrooms; ailing corn plant

10 years ago

I received two ancient corn plants from my folks. They're cuttings from a 20+ year old plant. When my mom brought them to me, there were bizarre yellow growth in the soil. I'm curious a) what they are b)if they're toxic to people or pets and c) if they are symptoms of something else going on that is also browning and curling the leaves? Any thoughts?

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Comments (20)

PrunellaPlum
Original Author
10 years ago
Here are some pictures:

{{gwi:90422}}

{{gwi:90424}}
teengardener1888
10 years ago
Interesting. That is a sign that the soil is rich in organic matter. is it in garden soil or soilless potting mix
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Oh thanks Fruitnut, never heard or thought about that process. Maybe it will get better once my soil digests the compost more, I actually did wait a few weeks before planting, after incorporating it. Its weird to me that its happening so bad all of a sudden, after that one warm day. And nothing like the conditions your unfortunately having. It started when we had a few days in the 80s. And the past few days its been windy, but cool, 60s/70s. I think its gonna be a failure, what a bummer, looked so good, was growing great. Doesnt seem to be growing much anymore, and corn is one of those plants that if you stunt it thats it, no second chances. Bet it will tassle soon. Maybe it was the feeding I did. Would expect leaf tip burn or something tho.
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Thanks! Right now I have a towel that I am keeping wet wrapped around the cracked area and the leaves of the three different branches above the break are all still looking good. Obviously, not a long term solution (she looked so cool when she was upright in my townhouse stairway atrium with open area above 2.5 stories to a skylight!)... but is giving me some time to contemplate and learn. I will try pruning off the three different sections that branch out above the break and planting them. I have some root hormone I can put on the stems before planting...fingers crossed!
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Comments (3)
Unfortunately, plants are 'generating' organisms, not 'regenerating', like animals. That means they cannot regenerate cells in the same spatial positions, so cannot heal themselves. We often use the terms regeneration/regenerating when we speak of plants, which is inaccurate in a technical sense, but perfectly useful in a practical sense. This inability to grow new cells in the same spatial planes is applicable not only to the damaged foliage, which is just a symptom, but possibly to the underlying cause of the symptom if it is related to root damage. If this is a recent photo, at some point you can cut the plant back to below the green leaves and wait for it to back-bud. It will. The new foliage will emerge in pristine condition, which puts the pressure on you to keep it that way. ;-) It would be much better if you did this next Jun, when day length is waxing, but if you live in the southern part of the state, you could probably do it now with nothing but a slowed recovery to be concerned about. You need to get your watering and fertilizing under control. It's a near certainty that your spoiled foliage is related to one or the other, or both of these issues. A soil that drains well and doesn't support a significant layer of sogginess at the bottom of the pots (which do have drain holes - yes?) will always offer you the easiest route to getting the most out of your plants. It also takes much of the guesswork out of watering and fertilizing. I'll leave a link that covers some of the basics and will help you to avoid habits and conditions that have the most potential to limit your plant. If, after you read it you want to learn more, let me know and I'll link you to a thread that explains a concept I think is extremely important for anyone growing in containers to understand. Al Here is a link that might be useful: Covering the bases ....
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Using Bulk Corn Meal or Soy Bean Meal to Improve Garden Soil
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Comments (13)
If you want to improve the soil structure then something like Nature's Helper (fine, aged bark chips) or another 'soil improver' would be better than vermiculite. The vermiculite is a permanent solution, so in one way, it's good, but it will NEVER break down and will be there for years to come. The benefit from adding OM, which will eventually be broken down by the microherd in the soil, is that it will all eventually improve your soil, making it more permeable and more fertile. The vermiculite will most likely do nothing, long term, for the improvement of your fulvic and humic acids. I would check to see if there is a municipal source of compost, and see if they will deliver - if they won't, then borrow a pick-up truck, if you don't own one, and get a few loads. It should be free, or nearly so, esp. if you pick up. I know there is a commercial operation near here where a freind got a pick-up load of mushroom compost and top soil for about $30 (about 2 cu. yards). Have you been adding the manure and compost to your garden beds for the past few years? I repeat what I wrote earlier - if you have been adding 4" or more of OM each year for a number of years, then you probably should have pretty good soil by now. If, however, this is only the second year or so you have been adding, then, yes, you could probably add more. One source of free or nearly so, OM is the local tree services, and the companies that trim the powerlines - they end up with truckloads of chippings, and are usually happy to dump one or more loads if you ask. The main draw-back is that the chippings are fresh and pretty coarse, so you have to be able to let them sit for at least a year - 2 is better - before using them. They do make a decent mulch, 'though you have to pick out the bigger pieces. If nothing else, it's a good "brown" additive to your new compost pile. You might also see if you can get the "spoiled" hay or straw. If nothing else, and for the future, see if you can get the bales people have used for fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations. By the time that they have sat out in the rain for a few weeks, they aren't really usable for either feed or bedding. Most people would probably give them to you, rather than have the garbage collecter take them, if their garbage service will even do so. I kinow nothing about the cotton by-products, they aren't locally available, so will let someone else comment on that.
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User
10 years ago
Suggesting it's meant for outdoor growing, not containers (which soils behave quite differently).
asleep_in_the_garden
10 years ago
Thus I would suppose the best bet would be to wash it down to bare roots and pot it up in a better mix. The mix in question is always an interesting topic here on the boards but if one thing rings true every time it's that drainage is a must. Beyond that statement I leave you to the happy soil people....sayyyyy...that has a ring to it,no?
teengardener1888
10 years ago
Yes, it should only be in soiless potting mix when in containers
asleep_in_the_garden
10 years ago
LOL I did not say that.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
That's a fruiting body known as the yellow potting soil mushroom. For real....that's the common name most used. Its Latin name is Leococoprinus birnbaumii, and yours are just starting to develop. In a few days, they will evolve into pretty little parasol mushrooms, really pretty.

Peat based potting media are where these seem to grow. The forums get several questions about these every year, so you are not alone.

Not harmful in the least to your plant other than the underground body constantly decomposing the potting medium (not good) . The problems with your plant may be caused by an overly moist, dense mix.

Do not eat these fruiting bodies. If you aren't rabidly interested in watching their development (some of us would be) I'd go ahead and make that complete soil change now.
asleep_in_the_garden
10 years ago
Pics would be cool too. :)
User
10 years ago
I was taught that soilless mix is equal parts peat, perlite & vermiculite. This MAY work for some houseplants, definitely not for succulents though.

Also unsure if soilless mix is accepted practice here at Houseplants, I haven't heard it discussed here that I can recall.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
Pirategirl, a soilless mix is any medium that does not contain garden soil. My soilless medium of choice ( Fafard professional heavy weight line) has more bark than peat. I'll be willing to bet that your mix of choice is 'soilless '. Many here make their own media with a variety of ingredients in all kinds of proportions....unless a big pile of outdoor soil is used, it's considered soilless. Nearly all bagged commercial potting soils are soilless.

Asleep, I'll attach some images from my other computer tomorrow. But if you Google "yellow potting soil mushroom " and click on images you'll see them in various stages. You can also look them up under the Latin name.
PrunellaPlum
Original Author
10 years ago
I'm really new to house plants, and I never really paid much attention to these while they were at my grandparents' and later my parents' home. I did notice that the "soil" is really spongy and light, not very similar to outside garden soil. I'll have to ask my mom what she's planted them in. I was just very surprised to see these cute little mushrooms appear! And I am very interested in watching them grow, so maybe I'll wait awhile to change out the mix in the pot.
asleep_in_the_garden
10 years ago
...And spoil the surprise? LOL

Pics tomorow,check! :)
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
Yay for prunella! I love people with curiosity about wierd things. Keep sending pictures.
teengardener1888
10 years ago
Yes, prepared soil mixes aernt always bad pirate, as rhizo said not all brands are equal. But stay away from miracle grow seed starting mix
petrushka (7b)
10 years ago
it's best to remove surface soil with a spoon and discard. the mold/fungus likes acidic soil. add 1tb vinegar to 1 gal water when watering . you can proly spray with a week vinegar solution too.
I had yellow fungus develop in orchid bark due to hi humidity. I had to spray with fungicide to remove it completely and also changed top 1" of medium.
this might help:
1 tsp baking soda to1 qt water + a few drops of liquid soap.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
Nope, With all respect, Petrushka, there is no need to chase a harmess non-pathogenic fungus with vinegar, fungicides, or baking soda!

The potting mix needs to be changed at time point anyway and that will take care of this issue.
PrunellaPlum
Original Author
10 years ago
Behold! Here are the mushrooms the day after my first post:
{{gwi:90426}}

Groovy.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
Wow! Keep the pictures coming.
asleep_in_the_garden
10 years ago
Awwwwww!

SO cute! :)
kaktuskris
10 years ago
Honestly, I prefer the mushrooms over the corn plant...Sorry, just never one of my faves...I know they have sentimental value.

Christopher

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