Compost is hot - but mushrooms are growing?

My first attempt at hot composting is going relatively well (I think), but I'm just wondering whats going on as I've got conflicting symptoms...

Turned 3 times and its maintaining a temperature around 60°C throughout the process. Sometimes touching 65°, and naturally dropped for a day or so just after turning. Its circa 2m x 2m x 2m, alot of woodchips, weeds, grass, bit of manure and comfrey. Roughly 50/50 C/N. A fair bit of water in there, aiming at the 'few drops' that Geoff Lawton talks about, so its been watered on each turn.

But, despite the temperature, I'm seeing mushrooms bloom on the outside of the compost...I had thought that they could only operate when it was cool? The mushrooms are tall, white stems with brown, round, tight caps.

I'll grab some pictures, but wondered if anyone could put the myth to bed / confirm this is odd.

I have this happen.  While the inside is hot, the top covering is not.

The other thing is mushrooms fully colonizing before sending up the mushrooms. One would think they haven't fully colonized "the pile" so they shouldnt fruit. I think they fully colonize that bit of manure, then send up the mushrooms.

I've had that, too, on the sides of my hot piles.

Timothy Markus wrote:I've had that, too, on the sides of my hot piles.

OK, great - at least its not just me then. Much appreciated.

wayne fajkus wrote:I have this happen.  While the inside is hot, the top covering is not.

The other thing is mushrooms fully colonizing before sending up the mushrooms. One would think they haven't fully colonized "the pile" so they shouldnt fruit. I think they fully colonize that bit of manure, then send up the mushrooms.

Bang! good one wayne, hit that nail square on the head, you did.