Help! White clumps in brand new bag of compost, friend or foe?

[mapcr77]

I have some new bags of compost which I intend to use to start off seeds, but there's loads of white clumps all over (maybe a fungus of some sort?), is that a good or a bad thing?

[rustylady]

What brand of compost? What do the clumps look like?

[mapcr77]

its J. Arthurs Bowers. The clumps look a bit like a lump of tissue after its been left inside a pocket and the garment's been washed, if you know what i mean. At first i thought 'its a bit of paper', but then saw it was all over the compost, and now im almost certain it is a sort of white mold. I'm not sure if it would be safe to use for starting off my seeds, both flowers and vegetables?

[Flummery]

I'd be tempted to take it back and ask for an explanation. It might be harmless but you've paid for good stuff, you should expect it.

[mapcr77]

Only problem is I bought it months ago. It's been kept in the garage since then... :S

[Flummery]

Hmm. Does it smell mushroomy? Sometimes you get that in compost. I mainly find that sort of thing in bark chippings which I use on my paths. Can't suggest what to do about it, sorry.

[mapcr77]

It doesn't really smell of anything, I gave it a good sniff to see if it smelled "off" or anything unusual, but nothing...

[terrier]

When you bought your compost it should have been sterile but it depends on the quality. What you see in it now is a mycelium growing from spores that were either in the compost when you bought it or have found their way in since. It naturely occurs in soil and should not be a problem as most fungal growths do not like to be disturbed.

[mapcr77]

Thanks Terrier. So is it safe then to use for my vegetable seeds? I don't want to spread diseases all over my plot...

[terrier]

I wouldn't use old stale compost for seeds anyway but it should be alright for growing established plants.