Using Pisolithus tinctorius for growing bonsai

[em901]

"Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch (Syn.p P. arhizus [Scop.: Pers.] Rauschert) is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that interacts with some of the most important tree genera from temperate forests. In this chapter, we focus on the current knowledge about the beneficial role of P. tinctorius on its host plants. P. tinctorius has an overall positive effect on plant performance, which is often translated into increased shoot growth (height and weight), higher photosynthetic capacity, and mineral nutrient acquisition. Under environmental stress conditions, such as water deficit or soil chemical contamination, plant inoculation with P. tinctorius can afford some degree of tolerance, with mycorrhizal plants showing lower growth decline and less stress symptoms."

Redirecting

In the summer, I find this growing around a massive Quercus Nigra in my front yard. I wonder if this fungus would provide some benefit if I were to place it in the soil of seedlings/cuttings/transplants that I am trying to grow.

Has anyone used this fungus for bonsai growing purposes?

 

[rockm]

"Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch (Syn.p P. arhizus [Scop.: Pers.] Rauschert) is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that interacts with some of the most important tree genera from temperate forests. In this chapter, we focus on the current knowledge about the beneficial role of P. tinctorius on its host plants. P. tinctorius has an overall positive effect on plant performance, which is often translated into increased shoot growth (height and weight), higher photosynthetic capacity, and mineral nutrient acquisition. Under environmental stress conditions, such as water deficit or soil chemical contamination, plant inoculation with P. tinctorius can afford some degree of tolerance, with mycorrhizal plants showing lower growth decline and less stress symptoms."

Redirecting

In the summer, I find this growing around a massive Quercus Nigra in my front yard. I wonder if this fungus would provide some benefit if I were to place it in the soil of seedlings/cuttings/transplants that I am trying to grow.

Has anyone used this fungus for bonsai growing purposes?

Probably has established itself in its own in some pots in my backyard. Wouldn’t be actively pursuing it as this kind of thing tends to be quite species specific. If it grows it grows in bonsai like most myc fungus

 

[em901]

Why species specific? I think they use this for agricultural purposes. Do you mean that particular strain likes my Water Oak and wouldn't grow somewhere else? My neighbor has some around his pine trees .

 

[rockm]

Why species specific? I think they use this for agricultural purposes. Do you mean that particular strain likes my Water Oak and wouldn't grow somewhere else? My neighbor has some around his pine trees .

Mycorrhiza fungi (that grow symbiotically with tree roots) come in many many many forms. Most, if you do some reading on myc overall, tend to associate themselves with specific species. Trees do the same with the myc they accept There are a couple of kinds of myc -some that grow outside on the trees root tissues (ecto) and those that grow inside the root tips tissues (endo myc). Trees and plants use either or, usually not both

That means grossly applying one kind of myc to plants is pretty much hit or miss ( and yes that includes agriculture application. Unless you’re applying the kind of myc a crop plant can use you might as well be pouring Coca Cola on the roots)

Whether or not the pine and oak in your yard both have the same myc that’s a big assumption unless you’ve sorted where the roots you see it on come from. Yeah it’s probably on both since both pines and oaks can accept this particular myc but it’s not a reason to believe appplying it to everything is going to do anything

Best approach with stuff like this is to simply wait to see if it shows up by itself in your bonsai pots. It does with my oaks and hornbeams. Waiting for it to appear on its own assures the right myc has made it to the right plant

 

[em901]

Thanks, luckily many of my trees are collected from the woods my back yard in Memphis. So similar ph/soil requirements. I was interested in using it on a live oak collected in another state, and also some cypress cuttings from nearby. I may give it a try, it surely wouldn't hurt, and it's available in my yard. Just wondering if this has been used before. It is used for landscape/reforestation purposes,( not crops).

 

[rockm]

Thanks, luckily many of my trees are collected from the woods my back yard in Memphis. So similar ph/soil requirements. I was interested in using it on a live oak collected in another state, and also some cypress cuttings from nearby. I may give it a try, it surely wouldn't hurt, and it's available in my yard. Just wondering if this has been used before. It is used for landscape/reforestation purposes,( not crops).

If it’s available in your yard it probably already in your soil.