Orchids in smbiosis with fungus-(i)?

[kalla]

Hi memebers,

I guess I read orchids live in symbiosis with fungus-(i) in the potting-material . Is it correct, and do all orchids do so, or only some special ones? Do they need this fungus, or is it still there and does not harm?

Thanks for your answer.

Tschüss,
Kalla

[Dorothy]

Here are interesting articles on this subject - Orchids and fungi
and
myorchids/orchids and fungi

I am curious to see how others will respond

[kalla]

Hi Dorothy,

thank you so much, this helps me a lot!

Your last sentence implies me, not every expert is of the opinion, that orchids really need fungi.

Tschüss,
Kalla

[bonsai1504]

you don't need to worry about putting some in when repotting. the fungi are already in the roots and it will get to the potting mix on it't own

[jkofferdahl]

There's a particular fungus that orchids need, but if your orchid is alive then it's already there. It's primarily needed when starting new plants from seed.

[Ray]

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, the only true fungal symbiosis necessary in nature is for seed germination. Orchids in cultivation don't "need" any such relationship to grow and thrive. If they did, anyone who has ever used Physan or any other decent disinfectant would kill their entire collection.

[MothLover]

I know that it's true that orchids could possibly live without these fungi, but I also know that the fungi that lives in the orchid roots is a huge help for the absorption of minerals and even water.

I think there may be a possibility that physan and other fungicides are forgiving of these symbiotic fungi because they actually live in the cells within a root and not on the outside like the harmful fungi.

[wetfeet101b]

Some interesting readings on mycorrhizae:

Mycology - Mycorrhizas - Orchid Function

Symbiosis: Mycorrhizae and Lichens

In a nutshell, mycorrhizae in the wild are mandatory for orchid seed germination. To add a twist, only about 1/3 of orchid seed to fungus interaction result in successful mycorrhiza. Another 1/3 ends up with the fungus parasitizing the orchid seed and killing it, the remaining 1/3 the fungus fails to penetrate the seed.

Mycorrhizal fungi are also beneficial to orchids in the wild where the orchids do not have ready access to broken down nutrients. The fungi take in the complex compounds and break it down into more "digestible" compounds for the orchids.

In captivity, where orchid plants are provided with plant-ready fertilizer solutions, the benefits of mychorrhizae are pushed aside and the plant often ends up rejecting the fungus as it is no longer needed.

[Mr. Tech]

Are these fungi present in the cultivated epiphyte orchids that bought in the shop?

[BobInBonita]

There are fungi EVERYWHERE! Only some of them are pathogenic (harmful) to orchids. Fungi are a big part of the ecosystem where they break down complex organics into smaller building blocks.

If we interfere with the natural bacterial and fungal breakdown , then artificial fertilizers are needed to compensate.

I am not an eco-nut. I use anti-fungals when I have a problem, but the routine use is probably completely unnecessary. Those who obsess with keeping things totally clean and free of bacteria and fungi (except when flasking) could probably relax a bit without major consequences. Think of the environment where many orchids are found, and you have perfect fungal breeding grounds.