Where do you get that Mycowhatsits Stuffie ?

[Falkirk Bairn]

I know there was a thread some months ago discussing using mycorhizzal fungi for growing brassicas and fruit and tatties and what not, but now that the money spending season is upon us I suddenly realise I lack three vital facts.
Who makes the preparations ?
How much do they cost ?
Where do you get them ?
Answers on a postcard...

I always thought that brassicas was one of the exceptions to using MF?

[snohare]

I always thought that brassicas was one of the exceptions to using MF?

Aye, it may well be, Bairn. I remember brassicas were mentioned in that thread - but with my memory, I quite possibly forgot that the reason I was remembering them was that they were excluded !

Thanks for those new links, Bearded Bloke, just what I needed.

VVG, it was indeed the pea and bean stuffie I used last year. I was very impressed with it, and hope to use it again this year - just yards away from my beans, a huge patch grown by my neighbours failed utterly to produce even a single bean ! Same soil and sun (we are in the same garden) - the only thing I can think of is that they had a disease that mine fought off, or mine just looked nicer to the pollinators...

[Two_Sheds]

I read somewhere that it's naturally available in leafmould ...?

I've now had a chance to research that a bit:

"Leaf mould is also useful to all plants. It increases the fungi in the soil, including mycorrhizal fungi"
Alys Fowler: leaf mould | Life and style | The Guardian


This bit supports my general theory of using mulch instead of "digging in": "Mycorrhizae also resent having the soil disturbed. Rather than digging in organic material and disturbing the soil, it is best to simply put down a 2″ layer of compost" Mycorrhizae - Grow Organic Food

From the same source:
"Mycorrhizae are destroyed when the soil is ...drenched with most of the pesticides used to control nematodes, grubs, or weeds. They are also sensitive to high levels of chemical fertilizer"

and:
"mycorrhizae are relatively plant specific"

however, this says "Mycorrhizal associations occur on almost all terrestrial plants and are not as plant-specific as other plant-microbe associations that formed between some plants (e.g. legumes) and bacteria (e.g. rhizobia)."

The National Trust says: "fallen leaves are often beneficial because they produce a leaf mould and are thought to encourage mycorrhizal fungi" http://plantnetwork.org/wordpress/wp...3376/ntgn5.pdf

[Two_Sheds]

I always thought that brassicas was one of the exceptions to using MF?

It seems you're right: "“Some plant species, such as crucifers (i.e. broccoli) are unusual in that mycorrhizal symbioses are absent" Soil Health - Soil Fungi

[bearded bloke]

Thanks for those new links, Bearded Bloke, just what I needed.

No probs bud pleased they helped you

[smilingshoe]

I saw mycro whatsit products for shrubs and roses at the recent edible gardens show but not any that were for other types of veg plants will be trying the rootgrow products which seem the most high content and veg supportive product i've yet found but if someone knows of another product that would be better I'd love to know before parting with my pennies

[adamhartree]

I have just brought some root grow from eBay. £3.50 for 150g but a little goes a long way.

[mothhawk]

I misread the title of this thread as "my cow what sits" and was intrigued that Snohare had a pet cow that sat on command .

As for mycorrhizal inoculants, I garden organically without fungicides/pesticides/herbicides/artificial fertilisers, so I reckon there's plenty in my compost rich soil already.

[veggiechicken]

Thought someone might be interested in this article
Plants and fungi - using beneficial mycorrhizal fungi to boost plant growth | Permaculture Magazine

[Two_Sheds]

nice article, thanks VC (I just typed VD by mistake lol)

[veggiechicken]

nice article, thanks VC (I just typed VD by mistake lol)

That's still better than VVG!!

[snohare]

Surely nobody would ever label you "VG", never mind "VVG", VC ? I mean..."very good" - surely you, like me, never get those words used as long as your sense of humour is operating ?

Thanks indeed for the link, I am googling the brand he mentions using...

[veggiechicken]

WC is more appropriate, Snohare!!

[snohare]

WC is more appropriate, Snohare!!

Flushed with success, eh Veggie ? Be warned...it might just be a flush in the pan ! (No loo'd comments, please.)
For those of you reading this with a sinking feeling, don't worry, I already feel drained...

[veggiechicken]

A little secret here, Snohare - just between us
My real initials are CW and when I was in junior school we had to do an art work incorporating our initials. It was only when everyone laughed at my painting that I twigged what my initials were backwards!
I've never recovered from the humiliation