Even though orange peel fungus is harmless, it is aesthetically unappealing. Here learn How To Get Rid Of Orange Peel Fungus and ensure the beauty of your lawn.
Aleuria aurantia, the orange peel fungus, originates from areas in Europe and North America. This is a cup-shaped specie that has a skin texture resembling a tangerine; hence the name was given to orange peel fungus.
You may find this fungus in hues of orange and almost orange shade in small clusters. These are typically found in gardens or parks.
This fungus in the lawn has many perks, as it plays a vital role in decomposing the matter in the soil.
However, even if it may be edible, it must not be ingested due to its rough texture and bitter taste. Overall, there is no poisonous compound in the fungus.
Even though it has some degree of advantage to it, some people do not like the presence of orange peel fungus and want to get rid of it.
Hence, here we have explained all about it and how to get rid of Orange peel fungus as well, so keep reading below.
How Does Orange Peel Look Like?
An orange peel fungus has a striking appearance. The fungus looks like tiny cups of 10 centimeters or less.
Their fruiting bodies are orange in color hence the name and the texture is quite wrinkly, just like a tangerine.
The upper layer is plain, while the inner area is fuzzy due to the short hair on it. It is joined with a short stem that is thick enough to support the cup.
There is a layer like a membrane that protects the fungus until it gets older, and then it breaks apart, revealing the true orange hue. This specie is quite easily recognized due to its distinctive features.
Life Cycle of Orange Peel Fungus
The propagation or the life cycle of the orange peel fungus is the same as the other fungal cycles, with the same stages involved:
1. Germination
In the first step, a spore of the orange peel fungus starts to form the hypha on decaying matter, such as leaves or a log; the decaying matter acts as a substrate for the spore.
The spore germination leads to the formation of a thread-like body.
2. Mycelium Formation
The second stage involves the growth of hyphae into mycelium. It is a large network of thread-like filaments that keep spreading in the form of branches.
This mycelium absorbs the nutrients from the organic matter and is also called the vegetable part of the fungus.
3. Fruiting Bodies
The mycelium then produces the fruiting bodies that are the reproductive structures; these bodies are shaped like a cup and are orange in color.
The fruiting bodies are only produced when the environment is feasible.
4. Spore Formation
As the fruiting bodies grow and mature, they release spores in millions which then spread from water and wind and stick to animals as well.
Thus, the spores travel to different areas again to restart the life cycle.
This is a simple and short cycle of life for fruiting bodies as they are dependent on the environment. However, only in this way did they spread from one place to another. Top of Form
Ways To Getting Rid of Orange Peel Fungi
The orange peel fungus can be found in woodlands and tropical grasslands as edible fungi.
Even though it is harmless, it is still unsettling to the eyes and can damage the aesthetics of the landscape.
So, getting rid of the orange peel is on many gardeners’ lists. Here are some tips to help you get rid of orange peel fungus:
1. Regular Cleaning
Removal of any organic debris from the lawn is important as the debris is the place where orange peel fungus originates.
So, when there is no debris to feed on, like leaves and twigs, the orange peel will not spread. You will disrupt the supply of food sources by regularly cleaning your garden.
2. Make Sure There Is No Waterlogging
By improving the drainage system in the garden, you can ensure there is no waterlogging and that the soil and the environment are not overly moist and humid.
If there is a persistent issue of orange peel fungus, then you must keep the environment dry because this fungus thrives in moist environments.
The water drainage can prevent growth. To enhance drainage, you can add activated charcoal to the soil mix as it has drying properties, and you may also get an improved and efficient drainage system.
3. Keep The Soil A Bit Dry
As mentioned before, moist environments increase the likelihood of orange peel fungus; you must know that wet environments aid the fungus, too, so avoid over-watering the area where it propagates.
Make sure you do not water the area after sunset or when there is not enough sunlight for rapid evaporation.
4. Using Fungicides
Using fungicides that are specially formulated to destroy orange peel fungus can help eradicate the fungus.
You will need to follow the labeled instructions to ensure all the fungi are dead.
5. Pruning
You can always trim out the fungus growing on the plants. Pruning the diseased area can stop the fungus from spreading.
After you cut out the affected part, seal it in a bag and dispose of it so no spores are transmitted to other areas.
You must know that other than damaging the garden’s aesthetics, there is no harm in letting the fungus live on.
Are There Any Advantages of Keeping Orange Peel Fungus?
While it may not look pretty on the outside, there are some potential advantages attributed to the orange peel fungus:
- First: One of the biggest advantages of keeping orange peel fungus is that it can decompose the organic matter and then recycle the nutrients to use them in amending the soil properties.
- This promotes a healthy ecosystem for plants, and the overall quality and yield improve.
- Secondly: the research on orange peel fungus contains compounds that have been shown to have potential antimicrobial and antifungal properties in laboratory studies, which may have potential applications in medicine and agriculture.
- Thirdly: the alluring shade of orange and the cup shape of the fungi enhance the appearance of the garden and can add interest and diversity to natural landscapes and gardens.
- Furthermore: orange peel fungus might be utilized to teach novice gardeners about fungi and the diversity it brings to the ecosystem.
These were some of the potential benefits of the orange peel fungus, due to which people like to keep it around. However, some find it a nuisance and prefer to get rid of it.
Can Orange Peel Fungus Spread?
Yes, orange peel fungus can spread easily because it produces spores that disperse through wind, water, and animals, just like the pollens of any flower.
These tiny spores that the fruiting bodies produce long travel distances, and when they land on decaying organic matter like a log or a leaf, it starts to react there, and the spores germinate into a hypha.
It is a thread-like structure resembling a DNA strand and then further forms a cluster known as mycelium, which then transforms into a fruiting body if the environment is favorable.
The fruiting bodies age and then start producing spores, and then again, these spores are released into the environment by various carriers.
Is Orange Peel Fungus Parasitic?
The orange peel fungus is an edible fungus even if it is not consumed by people due to its bitter taste or folded texture.
However, it is not a parasitic fungus; rather, it is a saprophytic fungus.
A saprophytic kind of fungi gets the nutrients out of decaying matter like dead plant matter, logs, and twigs. This fungus can also feed on other fungi.
When disturbed soil or soils rich in organic material, such as forest floors or compost piles, are present, the Orange Peel Fungus is frequently found to be growing there.
It can be identified by its vivid orange, a cup-shaped fruiting body that resembles an orange peel. In spite of its remarkable look, it poses no risk to people or animals and is not thought to have any therapeutic benefits.
Conclusion: How To Get Rid Of Orange Peel Fungus
In a nutshell, the orange peel fungus is a harmless specie that grows on decaying organic debris.
There are various advantages of the fungus, but it could be aesthetically unpleasant to the eyes.
Luckily there are ways to get rid of orange peel fungus, like pruning, using antifungal sprays, and simple preventative techniques like deep cleaning the garden and keeping the environment less moist so the fungus doesn’t thrive.
The good thing about this fungus is that it is edible, so even if your pet eats it, it won’t be harmed, although it wouldn’t like the taste or the texture.
The spores of the fungus are the catalysts that need organic matter to feed and grow on, so make sure you dispose of the extracted fungus in a sealed bag and avoid spilling the spores anywhere else.
We hope this article helps you in getting rid of the orange peel fungus and make your garden look appealing the way you want it.
My name is Olivia, and I live in the United States and love having plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there on my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful gardening tips, how to grow and care for various plants, etc.
