White County
 Gardening
Podcast
May 8, 2009
Slime Mold: The Blob on the Lawn
(1:53 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Sherri Sanders
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
Hello this is Sherri Sanders, County Extension Agent
- Agriculture in White County. After an
extended period of heavy rain an organism known as Slime Mold may appear in your
lawn. Slime mold takes many forms. The most common forms on turf resemble small
purple or black balls attached to blades of grass or a readily noticeable
creamy‑white to yellow‑orange jelly‑like mass situated on the lawn.
Slime mold must have been the inspiration for many "B" grade monster movies.
Slime mold is a primitive organism that has properties of both an amoeba and a
fungus. The slime mold produces spores that are capable of amoeba‑like movement.
The motile spores feed on fungi, bacteria, other micro‑organisms, and decaying
organic matter.
The slime mold spores consume food by simply engulfing particles as they
move. The single cell spores multiply by division. The spores pair off and
become a shapeless slimy mass, that may flow to the soil surface. Movement of
the slimy mass is encouraged by moist cool conditions. The slimy mass flows on
to low‑lying but upright objects such a blades of grass and garden walls. Often
the slime mold mass is located on an upright object, it produces fruiting bodies
that produce new spores.
Slime mold for the most part is a beneficial organism that decays dead plant
material, returning nutrients to the soil. It is not a disease, but turf that
has been shaded by slime mold may be more susceptible to turf diseases.
Chemical control is usually not necessary. Raking up, and disposing of the
slime mold is usually all that is required. The slime mold will go away in warm,
dry weather conditions.
This has been Sherri Sanders in White County.
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