Mycorrhiza

It's all about the trees.For the trees man.
Yeah I said above it might relate to all trees, but actually the probability is high that i might be wrong. Ericaceous, coniferious and broadleaved trees might be different when it comes to mycorrhizal symbiosis.... I don't know.
 
I notice the brand of mycorrhizae you purchased is significantly more expensive per oz vs other brands sold. Is there any particular reason why you use this one?
 
Here is a picture of a tree I started repotting, then realized what was going on with the mychorazzae:

image.jpeg

This tree had been half bare rooted the previous year. That's the white half. The soil was Boon Mix, and the mychorazzae exploded!

The dark half was the old soul. There's some mychorazzae in there, but nothing like the bottom half!

Anyway, I removed the old dark soil and replaced with Boon Mix and put it in a bonsai pot.

Boon doesn't add mychorazzae to his trees. The spores are in the air. If the conditions are right, it will grow.
 
I notice the brand of mycorrhizae you purchased is significantly more expensive per oz vs other brands sold. Is there any particular reason why you use this one?
The man at the hydroponic store said it is awesome stuff,so I tried it.
It really does go a long way and has the expiration on the bottle.
You mix 1 teaspoon to 2 gallons and only need to apply 5 oz. of the solution for a gallon of soil every 2-3 weeks.
You definately need open soil so this small amount can trickle down to the roots.
 
Here is a picture of a tree I started repotting, then realized what was going on with the mychorazzae:

View attachment 99886

This tree had been half bare rooted the previous year. That's the white half. The soil was Boon Mix, and the mychorazzae exploded!

The dark half was the old soul. There's some mychorazzae in there, but nothing like the bottom half!

Anyway, I removed the old dark soil and replaced with Boon Mix and put it in a bonsai pot.

Boon doesn't add mychorazzae to his trees. The spores are in the air. If the conditions are right, it will grow.
This is probably generally true--mycorrhizae will show up and colonize the soil on its own. As to how fast and how much I feel that this could be attributed to your climate and environment. Water quality as well as temperament. In the bay area and the PNW you probably should stick a shovel in the ground and find noticeable mycorrhizae. I would think that the humidity and natural rain fall would greatly bolster colonization. These innoculation products might be good in arid climates like mine with minimal rain fall, low humidity, high temps, and mediocre air quality.
 
Here is a picture of a tree I started repotting, then realized what was going on with the mychorazzae:

View attachment 99886

This tree had been half bare rooted the previous year. That's the white half. The soil was Boon Mix, and the mychorazzae exploded!

The dark half was the old soul. There's some mychorazzae in there, but nothing like the bottom half!

Anyway, I removed the old dark soil and replaced with Boon Mix and put it in a bonsai pot.

Boon doesn't add mychorazzae to his trees. The spores are in the air. If the conditions are right, it will grow.

Doesn't get much more clear than that and I have had similar experiences regarding it naturally occurring in soil.. Seems the more healthy the tree is, the more it forms... But I can only really recall seeing mass quantities in the soil like the bottom half of your rootball in these pics on a Pine tree... I do not see it form in a white film like this in Maples and pretty much any other tree I can recall...

Again, I am in the "mycorrhizae= snake oil" camp personally... I don't see the need to add it to soil mixes personally. I doubt it would HURT anything, but I seriously doubt it does anything to help either. Not something I'd spend a bunch of money on. Those hydroponic stores love to push all sorts of root enhancers... Maybe they grow better weed, but I am not growing pot. I grow a different kind of "trees" and mine never seem lacking in root growth despite the lack of root enhancers being added to the soil!
 
Some trees benefit from the mychorazzae more than others. Pines like it. Not so sure about the others.
 
image.jpeg Wow,I am totally not going to use this anymore.It clogs soil befor it's time.
I actually had to re-pot one of my elms while in leaf because I did not leave enough depth to water.
When I removed it from the wooden pot it was caked all through the roots.
Now if anyone is looking to use it,you better be using something like lava,pumice akadama in larger grain.
My shallow pots should be fine,but I am not going to apply anymore.Two applications is plenty.:eek:image.jpeg
 
Last edited:
The additives aren't worth the $$ in my opinion and I think Boon's advice is on the money. It will show up on its own and in the CORRECT FORM as it self-selects your tree.

Buying this stuff at (Jesus help me) $20 an ounce is a waste. The white network in the soil is visually nice, but may or may not be proof this is actually helping your plant, or even associated with it.

This additive is all the rage in gardening circles and its being marketed heavily at garden centers and "hydroponic shops." I have a big problem with the "reviews" that rave on about it, as most seem to be written by people that sell it.

FWIW, I have this stuff on many of my trees, especially oak and beech and pines (and I've had the same webbing show up on soil surfaces and distributed through the soil). It showed up on its own over time and established itself with no help from me, just like moss...
 
The additives aren't worth the $$ in my opinion and I think Boon's advice is on the money. It will show up on its own and in the CORRECT FORM as it self-selects your tree.

Buying this stuff at (Jesus help me) $20 an ounce is a waste. The white network in the soil is visually nice, but may or may not be proof this is actually helping your plant, or even associated with it.

This additive is all the rage in gardening circles and its being marketed heavily at garden centers and "hydroponic shops." I have a big problem with the "reviews" that rave on about it, as most seem to be written by people that sell it.

FWIW, I have this stuff on many of my trees, especially oak and beech and pines (and I've had the same webbing show up on soil surfaces and distributed through the soil). It showed up on its own over time and established itself with no help from me, just like moss...
Yup,I probably will never use it again.To aggressive.
 
Did it repel water or something?
A little.As long as there is a sufficient lip around the edge of your pot everything is ok.
I have come to realize that maybe my akadama is too small grained for my big wooden grow boxes.That is my fault.
It is all I have available,so when I repotted it again today I went 50/50 akadama,pumice.I like that ratio I am finding.
The shallow pots are fine and drain real good.
So after consideration I have decided to keep using the Great White and see where this goes.
Next year will use bigger particles maybe in the grow boxes.
Now I see why they recommend such small quantities.
Here it is growing in 50/50 pumice ,akadama.Really quite harmless in this ratio.
This is an air-layer that is getting grown out for clump bonsai.
I like it actually after re-thinking it.
Like you said it binds a really open soil together only slightly.
And after doing the emergency re-pot this morning I found it definately penetrates throughout the soil.image.jpeg
 
Last edited:
sufficient lip

We all been watching these Zelcova grow.....

I don't recall a word, let alone "sufficient lip", saying to change anything you're doing.

I say.....you have had this figured out for a while......
If it ain't broke.....!

Sorce
 
I wish every single one of my trees had that much myco activity. Miles of roots delivering nutrients to your tree! The only question I have is how that much myco activity would impact the growth rate of the surface roots being developed to create a beautiful nebari.
 
I wish every single one of my trees had that much myco activity. Miles of roots delivering nutrients to your tree! The only question I have is how that much myco activity would impact the growth rate of the surface roots being developed to create a beautiful nebari.
I believe that is ecto mycorrhiza on the surface.I read that elm and maple have no use for it.They use endo mycorrhiza which is also in this product,but invisible to the naked eye and is inside the root.
I do like how it binds the soil a tad and maybe will benefit in other ways unknown.
I do not think any mycorrhiza will take the place of proper rootwork to form a nebari.
 
I believe that is ecto mycorrhiza on the surface.I read that elm and maple have no use for it.They use endo mycorrhiza which is also in this product,but invisible to the naked eye and is inside the root.
I do like how it binds the soil a tad and maybe will benefit in other ways unknown.
I do not think any mycorrhiza will take the place of proper rootwork to form a nebari.

Endo mycorrhizae penetrate and work on the inside of the roots but the hyphae do extend outside the root. The visual appearance of the mycelium does not mean it is ecto. Only 5-10% or so of the world's plants utilize ecto myco. They are generally conifers and oaks. The other 90% utilize endo myco.
 
Back
Top Bottom