Mycorrhiza in orchids

[Helene]

I have a question about this fungus.

In other plants you find it aswell, even though I understand the orchids fungus is a different kind it still made me think about this.

In other plants this fungus acts like a roothair, it actually grows like tiny tiny hairs out of the root hair. Its in the soil, so you will not see it unless you repot, but I have grown plants in s/h and added AquaShield in the pots (actually the one I used was for orchids, but was not growing orchids). If the fungus gets a good hold on the roots it will multiply the ability to take nutrition from the soil/medium.

And- you can see it. I have photographed it and zoomed, then it really shows (pics on my computer, maybe go look for them). I could see a clear difference from plants having lots of this fungus, without magnifying.
It looks almost like mold- but if you look closely you can see these tiny threads growing in symbiose with the roots.

So- are these visible on orchid roots? The reason I'm asking is cause I havent seen them on air roots, but on some roots that are pretty wet it looks kinda similar. Lol, guess I have to find a camera and check😜

I know its small, but I was thinking that maybe it would show if the roots had lots of them.

Just started researching, and reading- maybe I'll find the answer. For now it seems like its not visible normally, but well- I'm not convinced before I read more.

Anyone know anything about this?

[Helene]

The fungus is within the cell, but from pictures like this, and some pics of roots in microscope, it should be visible under the right conditions?

The bad thing is that AquaShield is not being sold in Norway, and I dont have anymore left. I used it in water to prevent rot when growing plants s/h.
But I know there are different solution to help with that. Mostly its about creating an environment that makes the natural symbiosed go smooth.

Oh man, I love to read. Have to much spare time😂

[tucker85]

I experimented with both Micorrhiza fungi and a product called Root Shield Plus which is a Trichoderma fungi. I didn't see any noticeable difference in my orchids with either product so eventually stopped using them. I read somewhere that orchids require a very specific fungi that isn't commercially available. I don't know if that's true or not. It's an interesting subject and I would love to hear from growers who have used a beneficial fungus with success.

[nicola]

Hi,
I researched the function of mycorrhizal some time ago.
I have no scientific knowledge, but from what I remember the type of mycorrhizae, beneficial to orchids, are endomycorrhizae.
Mycorrhizae (from MYKOS, "fungus" and riza, "roots") defines the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of a plant.
Endomycorrhizae further defines the symbiotic relationship (endo "internal")
that takes place inside the roots.
If this is right, to see, you should dissect the roots and use a microscope.
Aquashield if not mistaken is used to control the growth of alge, stores specializing in products for aquariums, should have similar products.
I hope that helps
ciao Nicola

[Helene]

Thanks for replying-

I know its endo, that means its inside the cell, but still it can show on the outside. Its more like the "base" of the fungus goes inside the cell. Usually in the tip of new roots, or nearby. It stays in one cell, doesnt penetrate the embrams of the cells. It still can send "hairs" out of the velamon.

Aquashield and other products doesnt make the fungus, but it gives very good condition, atleast in s/h. Have had rot that was really bad, but with lots of caring and help of these product managed to get a good environment again.

Giving a good environment, so the natural symbiotic relationship between roots and fungus can grow- and the commercial way of saying its all in the product- well, I dont take all that serious.
If you have a good environment, then you may not benefit from those products.

I believe having the fungus actually show just means its a great relationship😜

[Helene]

Oh, and the fungus is something the orchids need to survive- thats why orchid seeds are a bit special compared to other seeds.
I know that the plant needs it more in the beginning, but I believe its there all the time- (some orchids can manage by photosyntesis later,) it helps the plant taking up nutrition and water.

I'm not sure how much better you can get a plant by trying to have more fungus, because I can imagine there is a limit to how much it needs of nutrition and so on. If you dont have optimal condition then it may help. But then there was something wrong from the get go, sort of speaking.

I was thinking more of what makes the environment good for seeds to germinate in nature, and why the fungus works so well in nature, but are hard to replicate. I still believe flasking is the best way to germinate seeds for human, just thinking about nature.
And- some can germinate if in a pot with a motherplant thats well established. And I believe its a better chance if the plants have good amount of mycorrhizae.

So, I only asks because I happened to read about it.
Lol, just having fun reading- I do that. Whatever it is, I just read and read- until I feel satisfied, I've always been like that.

Sometimes annoying- I end up reading all sort of stuff, mostly useless stuff😜 doesnt have to be plants, whatever catch my interest😎

[Helene]

Short version, and not very good since this isnt easy to explain in english 😜
Okay, I believe that you can see the mycorrhizae, in the same way you can with other plants.

I have seen on other plants- and plants that had lots of them grew faster, had more roots, and just seems more healthy.

Most plants have this, its more a question in what degree.

Here is a picture that shows it- but this is kinda lame, the difference isnt that big usually.


The fungus looks like mold (lol, that is a fungus, so stating the obvious…), but if you look closely you can see the tiny hairs.

The two main sorts: one surround the roots on the outside, the other actually penetrate the roots. On the outside they both have threadlike/hairy hyphae, like filaments collecting energy. So the plant and the fungus helps eachother.


Orchids are pretty special, and need this to give them nutrition until they have roots to support themselves.



This is how it looks on other plants


As you can see it surrounds the roots, and it actually looks like tiny root hairs- but its the fungus cooperating with the roots, maximizing the uptake of nutrition.


Okay- its more complex than this, and especially regarding orchids, but not easy to explain in english- as I started saying.

Anyway- didnt find my camera. I can see fungus on some of my orchids, and it shows best on the oldest ones, those are also really healthy. This could of course be another kind of fungus- but I'm starting to believe it can be this one. Atleast it seems to be a good one, and its on the tip of almost every root on one orchid. I'll see if I can get some decent pics later.
Not totally sure about this, cause I havent seen photos of it on orchids. But it seem to be a possibility. (It do look like it did on other plants, but its not all over the roots like on other plants- more dots here and there)

Anyway, fascinating stuff to read about☺️

[Optimist]

I had a post about this a while ago. I am wondering whether it would benifit a terrestrial orchid without much root hairs like Spathoglottis. Either way, I am using it on my rose bushes, tomatoes, and Iris this year.

[Helene]

Study have found that leafless orchids (with pneumatodes- those white spots on roots) have lots of the fungus.
Vanda- two types tested, in different growing environment- the aerial roots had little to none fungus- in media they had plenty.

I'm trying to find the link between pneumatodes and the fungus, so far my guess is the pneumatodes makes easy way to the inner part of the cells- or maybe it gives the fungus better growing environment due to the gas/nutrition.

There was no mentioning about these being linked, but seems to apply to olive tree aswell- same there, roots with pneumatodes have more, also- straight roots had less than roots differing in size.

Reason I think there must be a link is the same goes for my orchids- they have really lots og pneumatodes, those with fungus on- and seem to grow in places that makes me take result from different study and make some theses of my own

Thats pretty much what I do, think and research. Dont even get me started on the human brain😂

I'm a bit odd I guess.

But I always try to write what is a fact (science) and what are just me thinking

[Helene]

http://www.pdn.ac.lk/socs/botanysoc/...al%20roots.doc

Picture, from the link.


Not bad, lol- been reading a lot today- search your orchid, and surprised to find this

Well, enough fungus for tonight I guess😎😜 Gonna go look at picture of orchids and setups in here instead😎