Mycorrhizae‎ and our orchids at home

[jai_star]

Just reading up about the symbiotic relationship between these fungi and orchids in the wild. How about our home orchids do they have them at their roots and media as well?

[camille1585]

Normally not, unless the plants were inoculated with it. Artificially propagated plants just don't come in contact with it, and the media we put them in is sterilized/pasteurized beforehand. Last year we had discussed this in a very nice thread, I'll look for it.

[tucker85]

There was another post about a different beneficial fungi on here earlier today. I know beneficial fungi are especially important to seedlings. In fact there are some seeds that can't germinate without fungi. I don't know if there's any benefit to mature orchids.

[camille1585]

Yes, there are benefits to mature orchids, and all plants. Some defend the plant against harmful soilborne pathogens, others help with nutrient assimilation....

[Wjs2nd]

Would they (beneficial fungi) be able to live in media like bark or moss?

[james mickelso]

These microbes are in all media. It is why in a bark media you you use a fertilizer with more nitrogen. These are aerobes and are present in most environments where there is some moisture and food. They cause our media to decay. They help breal down the nitrogen into a usable form. There are many different types. It is a non issue.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Wjs2nd

Would they (beneficial fungi) be able to live in media like bark or moss?

Yes, and there are plenty of different ones. Just not necessarily the species found living in the wild with the orchids.

[Wjs2nd]

Thanks for the knowledge. I was never sure if they could living in the airy enviroment of most orchid media.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It is also quite possible if you grow orchids outdoors that they may be exposed to other genera or species of mycorrhizae that they normally wouldn't be in association with in the wild, but are somehow able to assimilate and incorporate for their symbiotic partnership while in cultivation.

Sometimes these mycorrhizal associations are not restricted to specific species of fungi. One orchid may have several different species of viable mycorrhizal partners that may be of benefit to it.

[camille1585]

Here's some past threads about beneficial fungi:
Beneficial fungus....?
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-good-one.html