NM
Disease identification, lawn issue. Is this Slime Mold?
I’ve got this growing on my lawn, any idea what it is?
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I’ve got this growing on my lawn, any idea what it is?
Want to like, comment or start a new discussion? Join us in the app.
Open the NZLA App →
Slime mold. It is pretty common, especially in warm, humid conditions! It's not actually a fungus and it doesn't damage your grass, it just uses the blades as a platform to release spores. You'll usually see it as grey, white, or yellowish powdery patches after wet weather. The good news is it goes away on its own once things dry out.
To speed it up brush it off, or run the mower over it. Long term, improve drainage, reduce thatch, and only water in the mornings so the lawn can dry out during the day. No need for fungicides, they don't work on it anyway.
Worth keeping an eye on that spot. These amoeba feed on fungal spores but won’t wipe them out completely, so you could still see fungal disease develop there but not because of the slime mould.
Watch for signs like mushy roots, discoloured spots, lesions, or dieback. If that shows up, treat the affected area plus a buffer around it, ease off watering, keep things clean, and use a fungicide only if needed.
@Jonny Hicks thanks so much!