Mycorrhizal Fungi... worth it or not

Hi Team,

I have new bare rooted roses arriving soon ....

What's your thoughts experiences on using when planting up roses shrubs etc ....


or or

Spruce

 

Have used it on Rose and Fruit bushes etc, but so difficult to say if or how much it helps ?

Wonder if anyone here has done any comparison trials where some identical plants had the Fungi and some not ?
Be interesting to hear from commercial growers like @gks and if they use it ?

 

Can't help with MF experiences, but a here's a top tip for planting bare root stuff (especially in heavy soil). Mix up a slurry of well-rotted manure, clay and water in a deep bucket. Dip roots in the mixture until all are thoroughly coated, then plant as usual. This really does give them a good start, provides excellent 'soil' contact and prevents them drying out.

 

I'm in two minds.
Surely most soil actually contains these fungi anyway.

I can see a benefit with potted plants but I struggle to see how it would work, or have much effect, in good quality soil containing humus.

All I can say is, it wont do any harm, but are we just being taken for a ride?

 

Have you tried it on root veg John?

 

I suspect if it worked on carrots etc. all the exhibitionists would be using it.
They would perhaps grow fangy.

 

Is that a typo for fungy?

 

No. Dracula style veg, fangy.

 

I use it on everything I plant but I cannot say if it does the plants any good or just me.

 

Seem to recall that mycorrhizall fungi are species specific, and not "universally interchangeable".
Using no-dig for vegetables, never had a problem relating to root development. In fact, the opposite, tremendously extensive roots, although tend to leave as much
as possible behind when harvesting.
Root veg are extracted by 'unscrewing';( left-hand thread!) , while pulling, often successfully.
More details here:
Mycorrhizal Fungi - Oklahoma State University

 

I noted Monty used to use it when planting nearly everything now he never mentions it.
I do use it when planting all sorts but one can not be sure if it’s really doing any good……….I think I am losing faith.

 

I do use it and have done so for some years. I did note that the brand I use is endorsed by the RHS, so they may have trialled it. I started using when I bought some bare root plants and a packet was included.
Do I have any positive evidence no. However I don't use much fertiliser on the flower beds and I don't use fungicides, also given the evidence that most plants are involved in a mycorrhizal relationship of one form or another. On balance it cannot hurt and doesn't cost much so I use it.

 

Without demonstratable evidence of enhanced success it is difficult to justify the supplementary cost of useage. Even academic accounts do not make it obvious that it is worthwhile. I am not a 'Mycorryhizal denier', but support the idea by widespread use of homemade compost; the most likely affordable means of promoting soil colonies through recycling of previous crop residues, roots and attached soil including organisms therein. I do not know for sure that this works but do know that better plants and crops result. Something does suit them.The target for this and future years is to maximise the volume of available compost, importation of materials permitting.
Compost teas are another 'questionable ' benefit, but the cost of preparation is minimal and seems a likely route for development, or perhaps its the witchcraft!