Giant Puff Ball

[Cranford Steve]

Anyone know where I can get a giant puff ball from? I saw someone using the spores in there compost to increase the roots system of there veg. I have looked but cannot find them anywhere!

[Polly Fouracre]

You'll have to go out hiking across country and hope to spot some in old pasture. Bit late for then now though.

[Nik]

Good luck - the great Richard Mabey says you will never find a puffball if you're looking for it.

[HeyWayne]

I think we have these in our garden. Not sure if they're considered giant or not, but I accidentally broke one once when mowing the lawn. Thought our guerilla squirrels had resorted to dropping smoke bombs on me rather than acorns.

[Alison]

If there were giant ones then you'd know about it, the ones we've eaten have been the size of your head and to be honest not one of the tastiest fungi that's about, we found them best sliced through about an inch thick, painted with chilli oil and then griddled. Re finding them, you're almost certainly too late now but you never know.

[Nik]

I think we have these in our garden. Not sure if they're considered giant or not, but I accidentally broke one once when mowing the lawn. Thought our guerilla squirrels had resorted to dropping smoke bombs on me rather than acorns.

They'll be common earth balls. Don't eat them!

[hamamelis]

You could always try and get hold of a rural newspaper- it was always the standard 'story' where I used to live, in a slow news autumn- then try and contact the people in the cheesy photo, and ask them for spores. Bit elaborate, maybe...

[Snadger]

If you know where they grow they usually appear there every year!

[snohare]

Unimproved upland grassland grazed by sheep is their favourite habitat in my experience. Good luck with that near Cranford !
I could point you to a nice little spot in Glenshee if you want, but as the one I saw at much lower altitude was past it two weeks ago, I doubt very much if you will get any at this time of year, whether you travel to the Cairngorms or not. Once the soil has cooled, that's it, fruiting is over for summer mushrooms.
Much easier to buy some of the mycorhizzal preparations that are commercially available now !

[Cranford Steve]

Cheers Snadger

[Snadger]

Cheers Snadger

You're welcome!

[SlugLobber]

They tend to grow on grassy verges round here. I love them! Never used them to improve rootage, but I might even have another go at mushie growing if you can buy the spores!