Out picking beans yesterday, I noted the appearance of three huge fungi, one at the inner base of each pole, on one "teepee" of my pole beans. This is the first I noticed them so I have no idea how long they've been there. Seems like it can't be too long since I pick beans at least every other day. I've searched and searched but cannot seem to find a pictorial database of fungi so I can identify these critters. They are a mottle ecru and light adobe color and look similar to those oyster fungi in that they are kind of layered. But I can't be sure what (or why) they are since I can't seem to find a large library of pics for comparison.The beans are great and don't seem to be affected--- yet anyway. It is interesting that they are growing at the base of each pole. The beans on this particular pole are mostly rattlesnake beans but I can't imagine the relevance. I wonder if it is some kind of symbiotic relationship. They are so large, I fear spading them out will ruin the roots of my bean plants. One is a good 9 inches in diameter. And I can't take a pic right now since my DH has the camera and is away on business.Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.Isabella

In article , Isabella Woodhouse wrote:Mushroom growth is a sign of very healthy soil. I personally enjoy seeing them almost as much as wildflowers in all their form and beauty. :-)Are the bases of your bean teepees wood? If so, they are probably feeding off of _that_, not your beans.If the beans look good, enjoy and ignore them!

Garden Oddity: What the heck is it?

Aug 28, 2008 41 Replies

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Isabella Woodhouse 17 years ago

Nope. I tore my office apart and cannot find it. The fungi got pretty beat up in the Ike aftermath when a couple of our bean poles fell on them. But they're still there, apparently not hurting anything since I'm still getting lots of beans. I've frozen about 60# and do not want to look at another bean... but I will of course. Looks like I'll have to buy another mini USB cord.

Isabella

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Wilson 17 years ago

sometime in the recent past Isabella Woodhouse posted this:

I was pretty sure you hadn't posted them, but wanted to check since I dabble a bit in mushroom identification. 60# of beans, you'll need a little help eating all them ;-)

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