Mycorrhiza for Galanthus in pots

[Jack Meatcher]

I recently enjoyed a talk by Joe Sharman at the Hampshire AGS. While I was already aware of the part played by mycorrhiza in hardy orchid cultivation, I had not occurred to me that they might be a key component in snowdrop cultivation, especially those in pots. We were informed that if our snowdrops failed to thrive it might because of a lack of suitable fungi in the soil. and
a source of such soil was likely to be in the garden where snowdrops did do well.
However, I wondered if the packets of so-called bulb fungi one can buy might also work. Has anyone tried the stuff with snowdrops?

Jack

[Maggi Young]

Hello Jack,  there  have  been a  few  posts  about  mycorrhiza  for  galanthus in the  forum ... I show  a  list  of  links  below  :
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=163.msg3520#msg3520
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=191.msg3527#msg3527
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5163.msg141966#msg141966
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5172.msg369206#msg369206
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11152.msg289196#msg289196
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14750.msg364224#msg364224
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=16165.msg389764#msg389764
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11844.msg305676#msg305676


Mind  you,  this report is rather depressing - Report  from Oregon Dept. of  Agriculture on products  claiming to contain mycorrhizal fungi. .....  http://odanews.wpengine.com/oda-finds-big-problems-with-little-organisms/         so perhaps  it  is  not  easy to  provide these  mycorrhiza  as an additive. 
 

[Alan_b]

I have a large quantity of pot-grown snowdrops.  I routinely add Trichoderma harzianium from a company called Dragonfli (although I don't use it fast enough to keep within its nominal shelf life).  I don't know if it does any good but I'm confident it doesn't do any harm.  The late David Way had successful results using soil from an established snowdrop garden to cure fungal problems in his own (new) garden.  He published his findings in The Alpine Gardener and similar publications that galanthophiles would be likely to read. 

[Jack Meatcher]

Maggi and Alan,

Many thanks for your replies and the links. It seems that the subject is a journey into the unknown for amateur growers and plant specialists alike. I get the impression that Rootgrow may or may not do any good but also won't harm the plants.
It looks as though Mr. Sharman's advice of introducing some soil from sites where snowdrops thrive is the best option.

Jack

[Maggi Young]

Mark Griffiths‎ asked on the  Friends who like Scottish Rock Garden Club


"Prompted by Paul Whitlock's success with Mycorrhizal fungus granules for cyclamen I've just ordered some. I'm assuming these will be fine with other shrubby and herbaceous plants but what about "proper bulbs" like species narcissus? I assume if I did try it you need to wait until they have some root?"

Any  opinions?

[Alan_b]

Mycorrhizal fungi that you can buy have quite a limited shelf life, as stated on the packet.  If you have bought some now you might as well use it now, if that suits your convenience.  Otherwise buy just before you need it.

David Way was convinced that the fungi must need a host plant so when using pots he planted seeds of something short-lived in his pots to see the fungi through the summer.  I figure if pathogenic fungi can survive from one year to the next then maybe the beneficial ones can too.     

[Mark Griffiths]

thanks Maggi and Alan. I have some arriving today, I'll check the shelf life when it arrives.