Mycorrhizae by Colin Lewis

Colin discusses in great detail nature's minute miracle-workers and what benefits mycorrhiza gives in association with bonsai. All you ever wanted to know about mycorrhiza and then some!

Moving mycorrhizae discussion properly here, I appreciate Colin's simple and yet full review of the little buggers' use and pertinence, knowing that mycorrhizae are good, trying to make sure my trees benefit therefrom. So Colin's article came as a breath of fresh air, showing a true knowledge of the subject, and making some interesting points about how they work.

I decided to do a little in-depth digging on mycorrhizae myself and found a wealth of fascinating information out there, much of it in Doctoral Dissertations and the like. From what I have read so far, it's a much deeper subject than "mushrooms eat dead plant material." To bring it closer to home, mycorrhizae have generally been classed as "balanced mutualistic associations," meaning that both the plant and the fungus benefit from the connection. There is a huge diversity of morphology as well as function, and the "same combinatin of host plant andmycorrhizal fungus can display different types of interactions during the establishment, active phase, and senescence of mycorrhizal associations."--"Diversity and classification of mycorrhizal associations", Mark Brundrett, etc.

Here's another pretty good link describing the basics.

Speaking about Doctoral Dissertations Chris, what was the 2nd paragraph?

I like the way Colin writes a complicated subject, laid out in layman's terms. Not an easy one to get across as most of what I have read in the past was indeed a Dissertation.

I agree completely. It's one thing to use the words or quote the phrases. Colin's explanation of what is going on is far more accessible to the lay person than what one finds by simply googling the words. Anyone can cut and paste. Colin has assimilated the material and assembled it in a usable form. Thanks, Colin!

I have a question about mycorrhizae. Dad sells it and on the label it says 15 different types of mycorrhizae. How do they know that there are fifteen different types. Do they grow them seperately if they do how do they grow them. When I ask Dad he just gives a funny look

Taylor Brown wrote:I have a question about mycorrhizae. Dad sells it and on the label it says 15 different types of mycorrhizae. How do they know that there are fifteen different types. Do they grow them seperately if they do how do they grow them. When I ask Dad he just gives a funny look

Taylor, mycorrhizae have been the subject of scientific study since the 1800s. As microscopic examination became better and better, the species were labelled according to their attributes, according to which species of tree they were connected with, and a lot of other things. It's just like telling one species of tree from another by its leaves, bark, and shape. Except smaller. Way smaller.

Chris

My views are because it is something that is found in nature and have not seen the reasoning of buying something that is available. I do believe Tachigi and I have had a discussion of this in the past.
Irene

If I understand this corectly I believe the article states that mycorrhizae is mostly found when a tree is stressed?
Maybe I should read that again?

Yes here it is.

For example, a tree planted in fertile, moist yet well-drained soil with a good supply of readily available nutrients will already be growing at its maximum rate with maximum health, and so has little need of mycorrhiza. Indeed, as we will see later, mycorrhizal fungi would probably not survive for long in such conditions anyway. On the other hand, trees planted in marginal conditions would probably not survive without a mycorrhiza and it is in these conditions that mycorrhyzae will thrive.

So this makes me think that it is good stuff but does it also mean a large amount present in your soil means that your bonsai could benifit from better conditions?

I can agree that a bonsai pot is not ideal growing condition, but should we be looking at mycorrhizae as an idication we can do better?

Brett S wrote:Yes here it is.

For example, a tree planted in fertile, moist yet well-drained soil with a good supply of readily available nutrients will already be growing at its maximum rate with maximum health, and so has little need of mycorrhiza. Indeed, as we will see later, mycorrhizal fungi would probably not survive for long in such conditions anyway. On the other hand, trees planted in marginal conditions would probably not survive without a mycorrhiza and it is in these conditions that mycorrhyzae will thrive.

So this makes me think that it is good stuff but does it also mean a large amount present in your soil means that your bonsai could benifit from better conditions?

I can agree that a bonsai pot is not ideal growing condition, but should we be looking at mycorrhizae as an idication we can do better?

Brett
The problem is, that what is great soil for a tree in the wild is a bad idea for a tree in a pot. So we use infertile, well drained soil and provide the fertility through the proper use of fertilizer. In my opinion, regardless of how optimal your soil might be, a tree with mycorrhizae is, in most cases, going to be more healthy and vigorous than one without it.