In this discussion, I think Carebear’s mention of “good” versus “bad” microbes is worth pursuing further.
Since both will “rot stuff”, we probably should define the two classes of microbes. One that decomposes mammalian tissue is not likely to break down cellulose, and vice versa. Both will release nutrients, but different ones at different rates. I would vote the former to be “bad” in most of our environments.
Also on the bad side would be those that are plant pathogens.
Left to nature, you’re going to get a mix of the two, right? The growing environment probably controls the mix and which one “trumps” the other. In our collections, we can tip the scales in favor of microbes we desire by periodically inoculating the plant and rhizosphere.
For the first 35 years I grew orchids, I paid no attention outside of watering and feeding, but after being shown just what microbial inoculants can do, I’ve gotten to using them on orchids, annuals, vegetables, and even my landscape plants.
Nitrogen - the most important plant nutrient - constitutes 90+% of dry plant detritus, but only about 3% of that mouse.
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Hybrid Mode
