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Topic: Mushroom Picking (Oct 10th) (Read 1461 times)
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PhilF
New member
Posts: 21
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I know this isn't really the place to discuss this but I just wondered if anyone else was suffering from MPA (mushroom picking addiction) like me. At the moment I just can't help myself, even stopping on the way into work this morning to quickly gather a few field mushrooms for dinner this evening!!!
It seems there has been a bumper crop this year so I intend to take full advantage!
Like I said I just wondered how others felt about it
Phil Flynn
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« Last Edit: October 12, 2006, 07:03:42 AM by simoncurson »
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simoncurson
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Picking mushrooms does no harm to the plant as the mushroom is just the fruiting body (like apples to an apple tree). However, as a general rule, you should only take one third of what you find so that there is plenty left for other animals and for the mushrooms to reproduce properly.
There have been problems with mushroom pickers clearing areas of mushrooms for sale up in London, so please exercise restraint and only take what you need and always leave some.
Any other points of view on this?
Simon Curson.
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PhilF
New member
Posts: 21
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I quite agree and am always careful to make sure that I never pick an are clear! Plus with the crop of various mushrooms we have at the moment you can afford to pick and choose which specimens to take and which to leave.
besides I've also found that when i am collecting for dinner I've invariably taken too many so am really cutting down on what I take.
Simon, are you going to come back and teach us about dragonflies now that we all know about grasshoppers?
Phil Flynn
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foxprint
New member
Posts: 1
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Hi Guys - Always fancied picking a few mushrooms, but I'm afraid I don't know the different types. Any chance of recommended reading or perhaps even a field trip...!?
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Terry W.
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PhilF
New member
Posts: 21
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try Roger Phillips fungi book - excellent but sometimes a little heavy going. Also Patrick Harding has a good book about edible fungi, this is a good book as it also includes confusion species - very very important!!!
the best bet is to get yourself on a course or team up with someone who knows what they are doing. the best rule is if you're not 110% certain of what it is leave well alone. I started by trying to learn 1 new species each time i went out. i'm now happy to go out and pick 5 or so species with confidence
Phil Flynn
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PhilF
New member
Posts: 21
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Foxprint - the countryside eduction trust in Beaulie run fungi forays as does the Forestry Commission, but i happen to know that theirs get fully booked very quickly. I don't know if Project Fred is running any??
Hope this helps!!!
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Si
Contributor
Posts: 65
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The Encyclopedia of Fungi of Britain & Europe by Michael Jordan is another 'biggie' possibly even more heavy going than Phillips.
I hate the taste of fungi but I love IDing them.
If your trying to learn more about them, its worth only IDing about 5 at a time so your brain doesnt get boggled up & you get dis-heartened. Best to go out with a group like the ones Phil mentioned at first. Another one for the more advanced is the Hampshire Fungus Recording Group hampshirefungi.org.uk They do alot of recording in the New Forest & it is an experience going out with them.
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simoncurson
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Hi guys and welcome Terry (Foxprint),
I am not good enough on mushroom ID to run a course on ID for all you guys. However, as the rangers say, it is best to go out with someone who knows and learn a few each time. Some, like the Shaggy Ink cap are very distinctive and very tasty. Another very important thing is to learn the deadly poisonous ones - there are only about 20 or so.
Cheers
Simon Curson.
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« Last Edit: October 11, 2006, 07:56:45 AM by simoncurson »
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Project Fred - latest sightings
