mycorrhizae products

[etothex]

I wanted to put this out there because I came across a product today that was a mycorrhizae innoculant. I know that these are fungi that help roots take up minerals and water, but I dont know if they are usefull to older plants and in particular orchids. I have seen info and have heard that they are present in orchids at least in the seedling or germination phase or something.
What I really want to know is if any one has tried these products?
PM me if you want a web site

[bench72]

I have read somewhere that they are quite useful with terrestrial orchids... but not really sure how they are suppose to be used...

[smartie2000]

I read somewhere that mycorrhizae fungi give wild collected orchids (paphs) their 'jungle vigor'. I suppose plants will benefit, but fertilizer salts can kill the fungi. Some mycorrhizae being offered are not suitable for orchids and I haven't tried any products yet. Maybe I will try mycorrhizae one day. I think it will only work on terrestrial orchids and those in compact potting mix.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi, I did a little research and added an interesting bit of information to our glossary on the subject of mycorrhizae. Dr. George J. Wong, Associate Professor of Botany at the University of Hawaii - Manoa has a link from his Botany syllabus that discusses Symbiosis: Mycorrhizae and Lichens. I copied the relevant information about orchids to the glossary, but the whole page has really good information on the subject of mycorrhizae. Check it out if you want to learn more. The link is located inside the glossary at the end of the article.

Cheers!
BD

[Diane]

WHAT! You are going to make me read a whole article instead of spoon feeding it to me!!!

[smartie2000]

very interesting that these fungi are pathogenic to other plants! Perhaps they may cause fungal rot when orchids are stressed???

[etothex]

Well I wrote to two different people involved with these products here were the responses:
"Yes, you can use this product on established plants and it will have
the same benefits. The important thing to keep in mind is that in
order for the product to work, you would need to get it as near to the
root zone of your plants as possible. So you may consider a water-in
type product."

"With regards to the effects of mycorrhizae fungi on orchids: certain plants benefit greatly from the addition of myco spores. Many bedding plants, turfgrasses, and trees see benefits such as disease suppression, drought resistance, increased yields, increased nutrient uptake. Unfortunately, orchids are one of the few "non-mycorrhizal" varieties that will see no real benefit from the application of these spores."

[bench72]

errr.... well I'm confused... so is that a "Yes, it's good for orchids" or "No, the orchids won't benefit"???

[orchid-man]

errr.... well I'm confused... so is that a "Yes, it's good for orchids" or "No, the orchids won't benefit"???

makes you wounder doesnt it.
I think that they may benifit but it would have to be the right type of fungi/bacteria.
If the marketers have differing opinions then it may only be trial and error.Without knowing the fungi/bacteria involed I would keep it away from my plants.