Growing Toadstools with my Leeks

[Bex]

About 10 days ago I planted some leek seeds in toilet rolls and put them in the heated propagator. I've just gone in to move them out as they are now at the crook stage and I've noticed grey toadstools/mushroom/fungi things growing out the sides of a couple of toilet rolls, where would these have come from, the compost? And will it harm the leeks in anyway?

Thanks

[Alice]

Hello Bex, No expert on fungus here, but interesting question. Yes, the fungus could have come from your compost. But is it all on the outside of the rolls. If yes, why is there none on the inside if it came from the compost. Was it the same compost. Or could the fungus spores have come from your own hands when you handled the outside of the rolls. Then there's the rolls themselves. Where had they been stored.
Sorry to be more questions than answers, but it all needs looked at.
As for the leeks, I think they will be fine if you rid them of the competition. See what everyone else thinks. Good luck.

[pigletwillie]

In the warm humis environment I bet its just a mould growing on the cardboard, just pull, scrape or wipe it off and carry on.

[Bex]

Thanks both! I don't know where the fungus could have come from but it was growing very well. I have now cleared all fungus away so will just have to keep an eye out.

[Nicos]

Anyone know the difference between a toadstool and poisonous mushroom???
( ps - it's not a joke by the way!!!! )

[Alice]

No, but unless poeple are absolutely sure about what they are looking at they shouldn't even think about eating them.

[roitelet]

As far as I know Nicos there isn't any difference. Toadstools and mushrooms are usually thought of as the classic 'pixie perch' with a stalk and roundish cap. Not knowing the difference between poisonous and not I admire them but leave well alone. What the locals out here eat you would just not believe and they all seem to live. For the time being I shall continue to buy my mushrooms/toadstools in the supermarket

[mazel-bee]

I've not grown leeks before. Is it that time of year? Do you think I could grow them in pots? I've got a big wooden box which is deep but I usually save it for carrots, radish and lettuce. I could move lettuce......

[roitelet]

No Mazel-bee. Leeks are tough as old boots and need a big root run so they should be grown in the open ground

[angie loves veg]

leeks in pots

No Mazel-bee. Leeks are tough as old boots and need a big root run so they should be grown in the open ground

In theory, you are right, but last year I had success in a large, deep container.

I grew them as most ppl do until they were' the size of a small pencil' then dropped them 6-7" deep in holes that I made with the end of a broom. They worked a treat

[Benacre]

Toad stools are Mushrooms they come under the umbrella of Basidiomycetes. The spores are on top of five Basidia like little pillars I am always interested in Greenhouse Fungi as many are aliens ie not native to the UK.
Could someone send me a photo?

[Benacre]

BTW there are only c.14 species ogf Fungi which can kill you. The rest will give you bad guts. But do not eat anything if you are not 100% sure of what it is.

Benacre.