Question
Fungus
Dear Dr. Vann,
I hope you are able to identify the thing in the attached photograph. The green moss is fine, it is the disgusting brown blobs that are the problem. It is some sort of fungus (?) that has a stage that resembles a moist, brown liverwort and a stage in which it generates a clear jelly. This thing is growing on pieces of cork and treefern used for mounting miniature epiphytes,and I have even found it growing on other surfaces in the greenhouse. I am not sure where this came from; I have not ever had such a problem before. I would be very happy if I could exterminate it. I look forward to your answer and thank you very much for your help.
AnswerLouise:
I am not sure myself of the identity. This could even be an algae of sorts. It would probably need to be examined under a microscope to confirm. I suggest that you consider contacting your local county Extension office to see if they can maybe send off to a lab for exam. There is a Cooperative Extension office in every county. If you are unable to locate a phone number, you can send me the name of your state and county of residence and I can look up a number for you to call.
I suspect that if it is a fungus or algae it is present because of abundant moisture on those surfaces you have found it. If the inert surfaces can be dried down, this stuff may disappear.
Regards
Steve
