Tiny little fungus in Watercress trays

[ItsEssexRob]

So I decided to try growing watercress this year, starting off by sowing them into shallow green seed trays keeping them moist and in the shade and considering where to plant them out into next.

However I noticed that within the compost these tiny orangey brown bits of fungus had started forming. They are between 2 mm and 5mm across and kind of cylindrical shaped. Anyone know what they are and if they are harmful.

I was a bit concerned as I placed my trays above my water butt so any watering the plants got flowed into the butt and if they were toxic I wondered if the toxins could flow into the butt and contaminate my other plants when I watered them from the butt. Can toxins get into plants and food crops this way from fungi? If anyone thinks they know what they are and could post a picture so I can confirm would be helpful.

Thanks.

[roitelet]

I was under the impression that watercress had to be grown in running waterof high quality. Why don't you try land cress, that just needs to be kept damp and tasted much the same.

[ItsEssexRob]

I was under the impression that watercress had to be grown in running water of high quality. Why don't you try land cress, that just needs to be kept damp and tasted much the same.

Says on my pack can be grown in very damp soil and the ones at my Wyevale are in little pots, so not sure. Any info on the fungus?

[veggiechicken]

I've no idea what these "fungus" are but, just remove them from the top of the water butt, then you don't have to worry about it. I've grown watercress in a big pot of compost under a downpipe from the greenhouse - from supermarket watercress rooted in a glass of water