Puffballs!!!

[Bushcraft]

In general it has been a poor year for fungi but everywhere I go I see tons of puffballs! Has anyone else noticed this?

Kris

[chazzpott]

I have noticed this too. I walk past a field and spot something worth investigating. Ahh, field mushrooms I think! On closer inspection they turn out to be puffballs, and too old to eat, too boot. What a let down Still, take the rough with the smoothe. Happy foraging

[Leif]

Do you mean Lycoperdon pyriforme, the ones that grow on wood? In many places about the only fungi present are wood munchers. I presume it has been too dry for ground fungi. Maybe wood munchers can synthesize water as a part of the breakdown of wood? Or maybe wood naturally stores some moisture, and is a more stable environment?

[juliejam]

Common Puffballs and Stump Puffballs seem to be in abundance this year ...Where ever I have been there are plenty ...sometimes nothing else is around..They can make a good close up pic..especially from different angle..

Julie

[exmonkey]

I've picked a good few common puffballs, and basket worth of semi-maggoty shaggy parasols, seen loads of bovine boletes and picked a good kilo of amethyst deceivers. Very little else though, except (last month) a Cauliflower Fungus.

There are huge amounts of common earth balls also, but obviously these are inedible.

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Flickr: Exmonkey
United By Yucca

[NickCantle]

I still manage to fill my basket every Saturday

I had a nice dinner today

Ceps, Bays, Oysters and Hedgehogs fried in butter with diced pork, garlic and fresh parsley. When simmering nicely, we added Greek yoghurt to puff it up, then wrapped it in pastry and popped it in the oven like a pasty

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Moi

[Lone Forager]

Yes, I have noticed common earth balls everywhere and suillus variagatus and bovine boletes which most books seem to say don't waste your time with. The only thing of worth were some bay boletes few and far between. I have noticed that the bay boletes in the heather are generally smaller and far lighter brown than ones in the open. Is there an obvious reason for this ?

[NickCantle]

Must be something to do with both the temperature and exposure to sunlight...Not sure. Flippin' Scleroderma are everywhere still Although I did see a few dying ones...at last.

[Lone Forager]

Thanks, what have I got to do to find a cep ?

[exmonkey]

Originally Posted by Lone Forager

Thanks, what have I got to do to find a cep ?

visit Borough Market...

[NickCantle]

lol, to find a Cep, first research where they grow...There'll be many a thread with such info in on this very forum...You'll have to go back a while though. Then all you have to do is look

[excoriate]

Found a solitary puffball under a rotting elder tree which looked as though it'd been rotting away for some time. I want puffballs badly!

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by exmonkey

visit Borough Market...

I wonder what the prices would be!

[NickCantle]

Had any more Stewy?

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Had any more Stewy?

Nope, I will have a mooch during the week on the off chance but i'm not hopeful, I was tripping over them last year but mother nature and all that eh!

[exmonkey]

When I was at the market on Friday, they had (among other things) giant puffballs for £18/kg.

My little collection of amethyst deceivers would have got a similar price - most of the wild mushrooms are about that - although many come from eastern Europe.

[NickCantle]

We can just hope that next year will be a cracker

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Originally Posted by Lone Forager

Thanks, what have I got to do to find a cep ?

Ceps have two habitats, in my experience:
1. Sitka Spruce plantations (not Pinewoods), with little grass or other vegetation, although a bit of moss is usually welcome. Avoid forests on high hills and any where no other mushrooms appear to be growing. Fly Agarics tend to be a good sign.
2. Under big Beech trees. They're less common here, I've found.

[Bushcraft]

I had a long walk in the woods yesterday and found tons of mushrooms, including lots of false chanterelles. The puffballs are mostly past it but a few are still good to go!

Kris

[sarah64]

Originally Posted by exmonkey

I've picked a good few common puffballs, and basket worth of semi-maggoty shaggy parasols, seen loads of bovine boletes and picked a good kilo of amethyst deceivers. Very little else though, except (last month) a Cauliflower Fungus.

There are huge amounts of common earth balls also, but obviously these are inedible.

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Flickr: Exmonkey
United By Yucca

Hey Exmonkey, had a peek at your photos. Do you sell any? They're great! I saw a programme on TV a couple of years ago and some guy did a series of people on trains and they were selling for hundreds.

I'm very envious of your larder. Ours is a glorified junk hole. It looks like you're living the dream with your allotment and all. Good for you.

[sarah64]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I still manage to fill my basket every Saturday

I had a nice dinner today

Ceps, Bays, Oysters and Hedgehogs fried in butter with diced pork, garlic and fresh parsley. When simmering nicely, we added Greek yoghurt to puff it up, then wrapped it in pastry and popped it in the oven like a pasty

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Moi

Nick, that sounds delish, can we come to dinner at your place?

[NickCantle]

Sure!!!

6'oClock ok for you?

[sarah64]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Sure!!!

6'oClock ok for you?

Great... we'll be there!

[exmonkey]

@Sarah - Thanks!

I'm very lucky to have moved to where we are now, and yes I feel like I am getting closer to doing what I want in terms of growing my own food and downsizing my lifestyle - but I still have a long way to go.

I just wish I had the means to quit the day job and spend my whole day wandering in our local woods, eating stuff and taking pictures

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Flickr: Exmonkey
United By Yucca

[sarah64]

Yeah Exmonkey, we all wish we could do that. I don't know anything about art, but some of your photos look great to me. It would be good if you could pursue that, although I know its tough for artists to get established.