Rootgrow Mycorrhizal Fungi - a question

Yes, just avoid breathing in the dust.

 

Monty doesn’t appear to use it any more so I don’t

 

Bone meal has always been a good additive at planting IMO. But not with anything ericaceous.

 

Absolutely yes. One of the best things you can put in, without doubt.

 

Just a follow up on the point @infradig alluded to -

A comment from a recent article by a magazine gardening expert on planting bare rooted Roses.

" If using MRF do not use any fertilisers like Bonemeal when planting as the Phosphate in it can suppress the fungus "

 

If one knows/believes that soil is deficient in P, then the addition of bonemeal, being barely soluable, would be a good source of additional P over a long period, as it decomposes slowly in the soil.
If one knows/believes that soil is deficient* in mycorrhizal fungi, then the addition of Rootgrow, or similar may initiate a population if conditions are suitable to them, and they are absent (why?)
Best that one does not inhibit the other, better is to ensure high levels of organic matter and suitable ph value for that plant ,but if the soil is known to be deficient,(perhaps because you are replacing a heavy feeder) then addition of your prescription at time of planting (or shortly before) will give optimum results.
*how many of you have access to suitable means of detection/indentification of beneficial soil organisms?

 

To further this topic, may I ask:
What medium do you grow them in?, both as seedlings and subsequently? Any own compost/soil/etc
What, if any, 'feed' do you incorporate?
Do you add to water, any further nutrient/'aid' ?
How did you grow the 'control' plants?

 

Thank you.
John Innes may already contain MF, depending upon ingredient as 'loam' and the time/conditions of storage. Border soil may also have a population, certainly from last year, do you have overwintering crops in the borders? Perhaps it would be good to dip seedling roots at time of transplanting in 'Rootgrow' suspension, for early infection by MF? More experiments I feel...

 

Will probably try a similar tomato growing test next year like @JWK has done and see if the MRF gives us better results.

Don't have any Comfrey plants, is Bocking 14 the one to go for ? sounds interesting that you use it as a leaf in the planting hole as well as making the tea

Would be interesting to know if the commercial growers like @gks use MRF ?

 

I have a comfrey plant and it does absolutely nothing, just a few sad leaves each year that wither away as summer progresses.
Obviously I dont feed it enough.