Is mushroom good for bonsai

Mushrooms are some of the few things that can grow in the trunks of trees in almost all kinds of regions in the world. You may look confused when you see mushrooms growing in bonsai as this is the least considerable place for mushroom growth.

Mushrooms usually grow during the rainy season if there is a buildup of fungus in the bonsai soil. Although stopping mushroom growth may look impossible to various people, there are still various ways to get rid of them and prevent them from growing in the future as well. This article will go through almost all minor to major aspects of this important topic.

What does it mean when mushrooms grow in your bonsai plants?

Natural fungi or fungus usually develop on or around the bonsai tree due to various reasons while too much moisture is the most prominent. Mushrooms are the fruit that grows on that fungus and looks almost like an umbrella standing up.

There are some clear meanings of mushrooms growing around your bonsai tree and they will indicate something happening inside the tree. Mushrooms usually have two types of relationship with the bonsai tree, symbiotic and rotting.

Symbiotic mushrooms bring no harm instead they provide various benefits to the physical body and the strength of the bonsai tree. Such mushrooms are considered highly beneficial for the better health and growth of bonsai tree roots.

If they have rotting abilities, they end up breaking down all the organic particles inside the soil which badly affects bonsai’s growth. Although fungi bring no harm to the trees in most cases, you should check if the mushrooms are hollowing the bonsai trunk or wood because it is a factor that shouldn’t be ignored.

What should I do if mushrooms grow in bonsai soil?

The first thing is to make sure that the bonsai is out of reach from the children because they can be toxic in various cases, while poisonous in some as well. They should never be ingested as they can cause some serious issues in all bodies whether it is of a human or an animal.

If mushrooms growing in bonsai soil are not harmful to your tree, you should let them stay in the soil as they will only remain alive for a few days. Once they have been dried off completely, take them out of the soil using any picking tools such as tweezers.

If mushrooms are causing harm to bonsai or you just don’t like them in the soil, you can cut them off or remove them using tweezers at any time. So, it’s up to you whether you want to keep them or remove them but in a general point of view, mushrooms rarely bring any harm to bonsai, instead, they indicate a good ecosystem in most cases.

Is it cruel to kill the mushroom in my bonsai tree?

People have assumptions that mushrooms only cause harm and damages to the bonsai tree but the reality is almost the opposite of this. They can bring some of the best benefits to your bonsai and can keep them healthy and strong.

If there is no harm, it will be cruel to kill them just because they are mushrooms, and honestly speaking, they enhance the beauty of bonsai in various cases.

You should only kill mushrooms from bonsai if they are causing harm, are being transferred to other bonsai trees, or you just don’t like them in your bonsai.

How to get rid of mushrooms in bonsai soil?

  1. The best way to get rid of mushrooms in bonsai soil is to let the soil stay dry for some time.
  2. Only water bonsai when necessary and there should be a good gap between the two watering phases.
  3. Remove moss if you haven’t grown it by yourself. Moss in bonsai helps in keeping the water for a long time which can eventually lead to excessive mushroom growth.
  4. Remove mushroom caps as it will prevent more mushroom growth. Spores coming out of mushroom caps is one of the major reasons behind the increasing growth of mushrooms in bonsai soil.
  5. Change the condition around your bonsai. Mushrooms usually grow in humid conditions or if the temperature is too warm or extremely cold. Changing these factors can also help you out to a great extent. 
  6. Scrape off the upper soil (usually 2 to 3 inches are enough). Replace the scraped soil with fresh soil as it may remove all the fungus from the bonsai pot.

How to prevent mushrooms from growing in bonsai soil?

  1. Never overwater bonsai soil as mushrooms grow rapidly in soil with rich moisture especially during the summer days.
  2. If you have a mushroom plant in your house, keep it far away from others as the tiny spores can be transferred to your bonsai and resulting in easy mushroom growth.
  3. Change soil if you notice fungus building up on or around the bonsai. Wear gloves and protective material so that tiny spores don’t get attached to your hands.
  4. Throw gloves as well as the soil in the dust bin and take it out of the house as soon as possible.
  5. Put a good gravel layer as it will mitigate the chances of fungus buildup.
  6. Sprinkle cinnamon on the soil as it can help in a few cases and if not, it will provide a pleasant smell.

Mushroom compost for bonsai

Some of the best and most effective compost to be used in bonsai for not only just getting rid of mushrooms but to prevent it from future occurrence include pine bark, gravel, and grit. Pine bark is often considered the best option as they tend to break down very slowly which allows bonsai owners to have a relaxed life for a long time.

How to make a mushroom bonsai?

How to make a Mushroom Bonsai
  1. Start by gluing two or more wood pieces in bonsai pots. You may shape woods in any pattern according to your taste.
  2. It is better to have some hollow parts in the woods as this will help in growing mushrooms easily.
  3. Add bonsai mixture, soil, fertilizers, and all other things that are required for bonsai-making purposes.
  4. Place moss and stones for decorative purposes.
  5. After a couple of months, place a plastic shopper inside the hollow parts of the wood. Fill these portions with fungi or fungus that can grow mushrooms if watered.
  6. Go on with the normal procedure of watering as you always do.
  7. It will only take two to three weeks to get full-fledged mushroom bonsai in your home.

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