Mycorrhizal Fungi

[shushu45]

Good Day.

I was wondering has anyone used mycorrhizal fungi on their orchid??

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The mycorrhizae available on the market right now are usually not the correct types.

You need orchid mycorrhizae which belong to the Rhizoctonia group.

[shushu45]

What is the difference between orchid mycorrhizal fungi and regular mycorrhizal fungi??

Thanks I was ordering some for my lychee nut tree and was curious if I could use it on my orchids. Thanks. ^_^

[Discus]

Very different species colonise orchids to many other plants - it's a specific type of association; it's kind of like trying to screw an edison screw type lightbulb into a bayonet lightbulb fitting- it won't work. There are a few people that seem to be starting to try to culture mycorrhizae for orchids, but it's pretty rare compared to products for other types of plants. Agricultural crops and grasses, and really common garden plants like roses all have formulations that work well. Orchids I guess might not have a big enough market just yet... For the most part, they grow fairly well without them, unless they're obligately mycorrhizal.

[james mickelso]

This fungus was very important to bonsai culture mostly pines, firs, cedars. When you repotted the tree you sifted some of the waste soil to try and capture some of the fungus which then was incorporated into the new soil. Interesting thread.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As of right now, the Rhizoctonia group are the ones recognized to be orchid mycorrhizae.

Rhizoctonia solani is one of those orchid mycorrhizae which have been found in association with Phalaenopsis.

It also happens to be that Rhizoctonia solani is also a pathogen to a lot of different important crops.

[shushu45]

Ooh. Thank you all for the information. ^_^

[Discus]

If you're interested in this topic, have a look at
Mycology - Mycorrhizas - Orchid Function
Mycorrhizas
Mycorrhizal Associations: Introduction

---------- Post added at 04:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:59 PM ----------

There's some good info in this thread too: Beneficial fungus....?

---------- Post added at 04:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 PM ----------

In Poland, you can actually buy a mycorrhizal fungus innoculum for orchids. mikoryza dla storczyków

I'm kind of sad I didn't order some when I went there :/

[shushu45]

Thank you. I'll have to take a look. ^_^