Mouldy compost (forum)

Julie W starts with ...
I bought two bags of organic compost and one of cow manure at Bunnings a couple of weeks ago. When I opened the yesterday they are all a grey, 'ashy looking' colour.

Are they OK to use, or should I take them back!

BTW, I can't for the life of me understand the distinction between 'organic' compost and garden compost, both produced by the same company!

Time: 20th August 2014 1:56pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
#UserID: 182
Posts: 103
View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees

symiot says...
Without a photo, I presume you mean the compost is dry? If it has lost all moisture, I would take it back. If there is some mould, personally it wouldn't bother me and mushroom compost for example may still have a grey look to it sometimes. In regards to 'organic', the non-organic compost may have had things added which themselves were not organically grown or may even contain man-made fertilisers etc. For all we know, it's exactly the same stuff and I think the consumer gets taken for a ride with the organic craze.

Time: 20th August 2014 4:39pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 20th August 2014 4:38pm
About the Author symiot
SYDNEY,2000,NSW
#UserID: 9796
Posts: 37
View All symiot's Edible Fruit Trees

MaryT1 says...
Julie I think you might be referring to the fungi ? That would be quite normal; they decomposes the organic matter. When you say they are ALL grey do you mean just the surface or the whole bag? That would be unusual to have a totally grey soil. Mind you my friend in WA told me when she visited that your potting mixes look totally different to ours here.

Time: 20th August 2014 5:59pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author MaryT1
Sydney
#UserID: 7655
Posts: 296
View All MaryT1's Edible Fruit Trees

Julie W says...
Mary,I meant all the bags. Actually, the manure is probably OK, it's mostly on the surface, but the compost is grey all through.It is the colour of wood ash, and I've never seen this before.

I have been making compost for nearly 30 years, so I'm pretty familiar with what to expect, but this is new to me.

Time: 20th August 2014 7:04pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
#UserID: 182
Posts: 103
View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees

MaryT1 says...
You can take it back to Bunnings but I doubt if anyone there can enlighten you. Maybe try calling the manufacturer.

Time: 21st August 2014 5:16am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author MaryT1
Sydney
#UserID: 7655
Posts: 296
View All MaryT1's Edible Fruit Trees

symiot says...
Yes, cheaper prices are just the begining and good knowledge in the garden section is always the last. The normal response I get whenever I ask a question is "Sorry, I'm not from this section". :(


Time: 21st August 2014 11:14am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author symiot
SYDNEY,2000,NSW
#UserID: 9796
Posts: 37
View All symiot's Edible Fruit Trees

Brain says...
I have read that in a hot composting process, the compost can have a bateria that have a grey weave like a fungus. Probably similar to what you are describing.

However no first hand experience as i am still trying to get hot compost happening. Best i have ever done is luke warm composting.

Anyway, compost is full of microbs but if in doubt, best to call and check.

Time: 21st August 2014 12:55pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brain
Brisbane
#UserID: 6289
Posts: 638
View All Brain's Edible Fruit Trees

sternus1 says...
Fungus is good for your soil. I'd keep it, and furrow it in as deep as possible.

Time: 21st August 2014 2:13pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author sternus1
Australia
#UserID: 8314
Posts: 1318
View All sternus1's Edible Fruit Trees

Jason says...
The less sterile your soil the faster your trees grow :).

Time: 21st August 2014 5:35pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Jason
Portland
#UserID: 637
Posts: 1217
View All Jason's Edible Fruit Trees

denise1 says...
I would go ahead and use it carefully on some plants other than expensive ones

Time: 22nd August 2014 7:10am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
#UserID: 6832
Posts: 688
View All denise1's Edible Fruit Trees

Julie W says...
I have been growing kale sprouts this winter, to add to salads. Started some more the other day, using some of the mouldy compost. Seeds have sprouted, no probs.

When wet, it has a distinct ammonia smell. Wonder what this means?

BTW, I see there is a world-wide shortage of kale seed! I keep my Chou mollier going just for seed - it's on its third season now, with practically no attention apart from some summer water.

Time: 22nd August 2014 7:46pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
#UserID: 182
Posts: 103
View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees

jakfruit etiquette says...
The mould sounds like active microbes, prob. fungi or actinomycetes. The product prob. wasnt aged enough before bagging or reactivated by being stacked on a pallet so heat+moistire built up in the bags and it fired up again.
Potting compost should have some structure ie pine chips to maintain drainage+aeration in pots. Composts should be finer to readily release nutrients.
You should be wary of very active microbes, wear gloves+dust mask.
You could age, dry out or solarise the over active product.

Time: 23rd August 2014 11:34am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author jakfruit etiquette
vic
#UserID: 5133
Posts: 915
View All jakfruit etiquette's Edible Fruit Trees

Brain says...
I believe ammonia is given off when excess nitrogen is released in the compost process.

Anyway, i think jackfruit has the best explaination.


Time: 23rd August 2014 8:53pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brain
Brisbane
#UserID: 6289
Posts: 638
View All Brain's Edible Fruit Trees

Julie W says...
Thanks everyone. It is very dry, so I might add water and let it age a bit.

Time: 24th August 2014 10:31am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
#UserID: 182
Posts: 103
View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees