Growing Mould/Fungi?

[HotBin]

Fungi can be found on dead or dying material so it is natural that you may see some form of mould or fungi on your waste during the composting process.

However when hot composting between 40-60°C fungi and mould will be unable to survive. Consequently, sightings of these will usually be an indicator that the HOTBIN is not operating at hot composting temperatures.

[Penellype]

That's interesting. I often find when my bin is running hot I get a white fluffy mould all across the top. I've assumed thats an indication that it's working well. I currently have white mould round the edges of the waste and the odd mushroom type growth again near the edge. The internal thermometer is reading 50C and steam comes out of the top when the lid is opened. The bin is almost full. Maybe its time I gave it a good stir!

[longden lass]

Sounds like a good bin to me! I'd leave it alone!

[Annabel]

Yes, I assumed the white fluffy mould was a good sign!

[Ben]

I'm new to HotBin but got v excited when it got up past 40 Centigrade. However it now has a thick layer of fluffy white mould and the temp has dropped almost to 20. Clearly got to get the temp up!

[Annabel]

I've just googled 'compost 60 degrees white mould', and found on a permaculture website discussing hot composting the info. that if your compost goes above 65 degrees, you are likely to get white mould, which is the result of the compost being too hot (!). This causes lack of oxygen, enabling anaerobic bacteria to create the mould - but it goes away when the temperature drops, so maybe it's nothing to worry about ...

[Annabel]

Is the 'white fluffy mould' not really mould, if, as you say, fungi and moulds die off at 40-60 degrees?

[EnlightenedElm]

Would you be able to take a photograph of the mould in your HOTBIN and post it here so we can take a look and identify it?

[Annabel]

Sorry for slow response! Here are 2 photos of the white mould currently on my hotbin. Temp. inside it is 52 deg C.

[Annabel]

[EnlightenedElm]

It looks like you may have a combination of three types of fungi there: aspergillis, fusarium and penicillium. Have you added any hay or straw to your HOTBIN?

[Annabel]

Funny - I thought I'd checked for a response to my post ages ago, but have only seen yours just now! Anyway, I do tend to dry out grass a bit before adding it to the hotbin, so as to decrease any likelihood of sogginess. Is that not good?

[EnlightenedElm]

You can dry out grass a little before adding it into the HOTBIN, but it does increase the likelihood of fungi growing. Grass will offer the bacteria in the unit the greatest nutritional value when it is added fresh and it usually causes the HOTBIN's internal temperature to rise quite quickly. To counter the excess moisture added within the grass, just make sure you add a good quantity of shredded paper and give it a good mix with the grass. The addition of fresh grass and shredded paper should result in the fungi disappearing completely.

[Annabel]

Ok, thanks.

[Vusti]

I’m a newby -had my bin 3 weeks this Monday was 59 degrees, had to go away 3 days, on return white mild in bin and temp 20 degrees. Moisture leaking out bottom of bin. Heatwave had occurred whilst away how can I get bin going again please

[HotBinDjinn]

You will need to add in fresh material to get it going again. Fresh grass clippings are good for this. The hotter your bin is, the faster it consumes what you put in it. My Hotbin has often cooled when I come back from holiday.