Is this mold on my new starter?

This is my 3rd attempt (4th attempt total, I tried last year and it just never got really bubbly) in the last two weeks at getting a starter going and I keep running into mold on day 3-4. First attempt (day 2-3) it was clearly mold and I was way overdue feeding it so I tossed it and started a new one, and set alarms to help me remember to feed it. Second attempt (day 3) I had mold on the crusty parts around the jar. So I started changing to a new jar at every feeding. 3rd attempt (day 4) a few small green places (see photos) I scraped the top of the starter off and used what was underneath to feed in a new, clean jar...in case it's not mold. In case it definitely is, I started a completely new day 1 starter. I have read that people think it's mold and it's actually a type of yeast. Someone please help. My feeding schedule Days 1 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup water Days 2-4 Discard half And 1 cup water + 1 cup whole wheat flour Days 5-6 (which I've never made it to) Repeat every 12 hours Discard half Feed 1 cup water + 1 cup flour I have actually been using 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup flour on my 3rd attempt to cut down on the waste that I have been making 😔

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I don’t think it’s mold. Keep it going and I suppose if it is, it would get worse. When I’ve had issues, usually it winds up on the crusty part of the jar. Have you thought about refrigerating it? If you’re not using it frequently, you can fridge it and feed it once a week once it’s going.

I've never seen mold in my starter, so I can't say for sure what it looks like to say if it is or not. I do know that I use my starter for whole wheat (70% whole wheat, 30% white) but I feed it 50/50 whole wheat/white. It just doesn't work right for me if I do all wheat. Yours might not be growing enough good bacteria to combat the mold.

@Anne I have thought about refrigerating it. And it's my eventual plan. I would like to get it established first though.

@Rae my first attempt last year at getting a starter going was with all purpose flour and it was not bubbly at all. I see bubbles form usually on day 2 with the whole wheat. Do you think my feeding schedule is adequate? Or should I start feeding every 12 hours sooner?

@Anne if it's on the crusty part of the jar, do you continue to use that starter?

@Katherine I don't see any harm on trying to feed twice in a day. I'm one that feeds it 4-8 hours before I use it and then stick it in the frig until I'm ready again. I've never actually kept a starter out of the frig, so you're in a whole new world for me. If you're getting bubbles, you must be getting somewhere. Maybe feeding extra will give it the boost it needs.