[USCC] Blue mold in compost

[Jeffrey Creque]

Hi Kevin;

redwood bark is an intractable compost material and produces a lousy
compost; I'd recommend choosing a different bulking agent.

Jeff Creque
West Marin Compost Coalition


> [Original Message]
> From: Kevin Donnelly <edtamias at yahoo.com>
> To: <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
> Date: 5/15/2007 6:12:20 AM
> Subject: [USCC] Blue mold in compost
>
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____________________________________________________________________________
__
> I am working on an interesting situation with a customer of mine.  We are
supplying redwood bark nuggets to the lincoln park zoo to be used in their
gorilla exhibit.  It is being used in essence as a bulking agent to compost
the fecal and vegetable waste that the animals generate.  There is approx 3
ft of material present as the floor and on a regular basis things are
turned under and the idea is it will slowly be composted down. There are a
few other zoos doing the same thing.  
>    
>   Here is the dilemma.  The redwood bark has Penicilium mold on it right
out of the bags we send.  They are concerned for possible health hazards,
which is understandable.  There are some areas that have a mixture of pine
and redwood, but the redwood only exhibit has the mold.  Penicilium is an
omni-present fungal spore, so we may not be able to prevent it from being
on the bark.  Among other avenues of solutions I figured I would pose the
question to all of you.
>    
>   In composting of vegetable matter, or bulking agents such as redwood
bark, would the natural balance of the composting present cause a decline
of the blue mold? Are there conditions in composting that favor or inhibit
blue mold growth?  Maybe adding active compost to the mix would help.  Are
there any other ideas that may help lead me to some sort of solution?
>    
>   Thanks for you help.
>   Kevin Donnelly
>   Quality Control Supervisor
>   Midwest Trading
>   edtamias at yahoo.com
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