FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Mycorrhiza (Mycorrhizae)?
Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with the roots of plants. Mycorrhiza is the singular relationship between the fungus and the root. Mycorrhizae is the generally term for the natural linking of plant roots with beneficial fungi. The plant performs photosynthesis and other above-ground functions, and the fungi handle underground nutrition-gathering and protect the roots. Please see our detailed information on mycorrhizae here.
How do I pronounce it?
“MY-CORR-RYE-ZYE”
Why do I need it?
Soils are greatly improved by the fungi sending millions of tiny root-threads far out from the plant roots. Marginal, salty, and damaged soils can often be made productive with the introduction of mycorrhizal fungi. Other important benefits include enhanced rooting of cuttings, increased root generation, increased drought resistance, increased salt tolerance, reduced transplant shock, and enhancement of other valuable organisms in the soil.
Why should I choose your product?
Our inoculant products are guaranteed to be of the highest quality and true to the species and counts shown on their labels. Our products contain the top types of mycorrhizae fungi appropriate for any combination of plant, soil, and climate. In addition, our products are not simply raw inoculants but a proprietary blend of ingredients which have been tested over many years to provide the best colonization for mycorrhizae in your application.
What are propagules v. spores?
Propagules are the scientific term that encompasses spores, root fragments and hyphae. Our labels contain the guaranteed count of spores/propagules after two year shelf life. Our product contains both spores and propagules that are root fragments and hyphae. The root fragments and hyphae are also effective in colonizing the root system which is why they are included.
Why is your product better than raw inoculums?
Raw inoculums often simply contain the mycorrhizal fungi species listed and nothing else. These will vary by quality but even the highest quality does not always ensure mycorrhizal infectivity of the root system. Our proprietary blend of ingredients enable more rapid and more effective colonization of the root zone of the plants or trees.
It depends on your needs. For an outline of specific users please follow the links on the right of this page. For a description of each product and how to use it click on the products from the following page. If you still do not see the information you are seeking please call us to discuss your specific situation.
What about geographic location?
Our products contain the top types of mycorrhizal fungi appropriate for any combination of plant, soil, and climate.
What about soil type?
Our products contain the top types of mycorrhizal fungi appropriate for any combination of plant, soil, and climate. For sandy soil it helps clump together sand particles to hold nutrients and moisture. For clay soils, it loosens up the clay for better drainage and to allow oxygen into the root zone.
How often do I apply the product?
Once our inoculants are applied there is usually no need to reapply to the soil so long as proper maintenance and care is maintained. For MycoMinerals we recommend a reapplication each year if used on annuals.
Are your products organic?
All of our products, except our Root Dip, use only organic ingredients. Our Endomycorrizal Inoculant is OMRI listed and registered as an Organic Input Material with the CDFA. Our MycoMinerals is registered as an Organic Input Material with the CFDA. Our Landscape Inoculant contains only organic ingredients, however, we have not registered it as an Organic Input Material with the CDFA or listed it with OMRI. Please check with your certifier if you need certification. Our root dip contains a non organic horticultural polymer hydrogel. This gel is non toxic and does not harm the mycorrhizal fungi. It is our understanding that certifiers will not certify this product for organic production.
Can I obtain organic certification using your products?
Should be no problem (except for our Root Dip product, see above), but please check with your certifier. Our main Endomycorrhizal Inoculant is OMRI listed and registered with the CDFA as an Organic Input Material. Our MycoMinerals is registered with the CDFA as an Organic Input Material.
How do I apply the product?
Please see the specific instructions for the products: Micronized Endomycorrhizal Inoculant Landscape Inoculant Root Dip MycoMinerals
What type of fertilizer should I use?
We recommend lower analysis gradual release fertilizers, preferably organic. Fast acting fertilizers, especially P, can harm the mycorrhizal fungi. The NPK levels will depend on your soil characteristics. If a synthetic fertilizer must be used, a slow release type is advised.
Can I use fungicides with it?
We recommend avoiding the use of soil-drench or systemic fungicides. Contact type fungicides are generally not harmful, if they are not systemic.
Do you recommend compost tea?
Yes, it should work well with the mycorrhizae if well diluted. One word of caution is to be mindful of the level of P that may be in the compost tea, as too high a P level can burn the hyphae on the mycorrhizae. A level that is too high will depend on soil conditions.
What plants/trees will it work with?
Please see our list of plants which benefit from either Endo, Ecto, both, or neither. Over 90% of plants form endomycorrhizal relationships, 5% form ectomycorrhizal relationships (notably, oaks and pines) and the remaining 5% do not respond to endo or ecto mycorrhizae because they have other types of relationships or are non mycorrhizal.
Why not Blueberries?
Blueberries are on the list that do not respond to endo or ecto mycorrhizae. Blueberries form their own ericoid mycorrhizae relationship, as do other members of the Ericaceae Family.
Where do I buy the product?
We sell our products online, there are online retailers that carry our product, or you could inquire at your local garden store as more stores are beginning to carry our product.
How are products shipped?
Products ordered through our website are shipped either the day of the order or the next business day via FedEx Ground or USPS Priority Mail.
How long will your products last?
The products will last a minimum of two years from the date stamped on the bottom of the product, which is generally two years from the date of purchase.
How should I store the products?
Products should be stored at normal room temperature away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration, while not necessary, will prolong the life of the product.
What is the date stamped on the bottom?
The product is date stamped when it is created. The counts on the labels are good for a minimum of two years from the date stamped on the bottom.
Are there any safety instructions for your products?
The products all contain non toxic ingredients. Persons allergic to fungi or molds should wear protective gloves and a dust mask when handling. Avoid contact with open cuts. If the material gets into eyes, flush immediately with water and see a doctor if any irritation persists.
I would like to become a reseller/retailer of your product, how do I do that?
We welcome inquiries from retailers and resellers. Our products come in convenient to store and to stack 4 pound (MycoMinerals), 3 pound and 1.5 pound jars. Please contact us.