FEATURED FUNGUS FRIEND

Coprinoid Mushrooms

aka. The Inky Caps

Inky caps assist in the decomposition of wood, manure, grassy debris, forest litter, and more.  Most species have black spore prints and gills that liquefy at maturation.  The "ink" that results is why the common name of “inky caps” has come about and amazingly enough it can be used as writing ink.

Inky cap identification ranges from easy to extremely difficult.  Many are “ephemeral”, meaning they live for one day; they grow, liquefy, and turn into black mush within a matter of hours.  Microscopic examination of various features is the only way to truly identify the species.  To add to the confusion coprinoid mushrooms are now distributed among four genera: Coprinus, Parasola, Coprinopsis, and Coprinellus.

Key to Coprinoid Mushrooms:

Kuo, M. (2008, February). Coprinoid mushrooms: The inky caps. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site

GROW OPEN POLLINATED (OP) PLANTS/SEED!

Humans have domesticated plants since the Neolithic era, over 10,000 years ago.  Today, the domestication of plants has rendered a global crisis and the genetic diversity we aided in creating for thousands of years is in peril... 

Yet we can ALL help!

Open Pollinated (OP) plants/seed have the ability to breed true to the parents' characteristics and may retain high genetic diversity.  An understanding of the basic mechanics of pollination is needed to save seed from open pollinated plants but is not something to be intimidated by.  Anymore than learning to ride a bicycle and the benefits last for generations.

Hybrid plants/seed are often bred for uniformity and yield, limiting their genetic diversity.  The seed they produce (F1 hybrid) often produce seed that does not contain the specific traits selected for originally -creating a market need for new seed purchases each year.

Genetically modified (or transgenic) plants have gene(s) for specific traits (such as insect resistance) of a completely different species (or organism) inserted into its own (i.e. human genes in rice or Bt in soy); this unfounded franken-science threatens global food security by degrading social and environmental ecologies.  Corporate monopolies of food should not be possible yet Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta and more want the patent rights to all GE seed in the world, harming nations like Haiti.  We truly have no idea what the long term implications may bring; yet the FDA approves it use.  Over 75% of the food on shelves of US grocery stores have GE ingredients.  Avoid corn, canola, soy, sugar beets, potato flours, some dairy contains GE micro-organisms and the cotton in your clothes.  Want to know more? 

Your best option is to BUY ORGANIC everything when possible!  Organic foods do not allow GE contamination.  Purchase open pollinated seed from reliable sources.  FYI: The OP seed need not be organic unless it is corn or some of the others above (but do grow it organically:).  GE has not invaded everything, thank goddess.

FEATURED FUNGUS FRIEND

Cyathus stercoreus

(Bird’s Nest Fungi)

Bird's nest fungi are saprophytes and thus decomposers of organic material.   They are found most often on decaying wood and animal dung.  They don't harm living plants/trees.

The "nest" of this fungi is cup shaped and fuzzy outside/smooth inside.  The black “eggs” are small capsules known as peridioles which contain the fungal spores.  Rainwater or water drips into the splash cup and when the water hits the bottom of the cup it splashes out with enough force to eject the peridioles up to a yard away!

If the nest is on herbivore dung after dispersal they may germinate, form new mycelium and grow new fruiting bodies.  Or they might be eaten by another herbivore where after 'deposit' they may germinate and grow!  Spores of bird's nest fungi can travel through the digestive tract of herbivores unharmed. 

Nature's resilience...   Pretty amazing!

Garden Planning

Tis the season for designing your gardens and outdoor living spaces!

5 Tips to an efficient Garden Plan:

1. Have your site measured or obtain plans from the City or County

2. Perform a site analysis for your property. Example questions:

-usage of property

-what do you want?

-zones and sectors

-soil quality and drainage patterns

3. Draw out your site and create overlays for your tree canopy, hardscape, perennial plants etc. (as illustrated above) to accurately envision your site

4. Create planting and harvest calendars

5. Consult reference books, articles online and local sources for more information

We're here to help!!

www.gaiacreationsecoland.com