WHAT IS MYCORRHIZA?

In a nutshell, it is a mutually beneficial partnership between plants and some soil fungi. This partnership was invented by nature itself, to help plants grow better and be more resistant to environmental stress. But let us give you a detailed description of this fascinating symbiosis, as scientists call it.

Where is it found?

Think about your regular walk in the woods. When you see a mushroom or a toadstool, you usually only see what is above the ground. But the majority of the organism is found underground, in the form of fine fungal fibres that stretch for metres through the soil, and the above-ground mushrooms are just a small part of the whole structure. The network of underground fibres connects to plant roots and acts as an enormous additional root system.

Why is this network of fibres so important?

Thanks to their incredible ability to connect to plant roots, the microscopic fungal fibres vastly extend the root system. They extract water and nutrients from a large volume of surrounding soil, and bring them to the plant, improving nutrition and growth.
But one of the most important abilities of mycorrhizal fungi is that they stay attached to the roots and support the plant for its entire life.

How do we get mycorrhiza?

Everything starts with the microscopic fungal fibres, or mycelium, as experts call them. But if you wanted to simply take the mycelium and put it under your plant, it wouldn’t work very well. First, we need to multiply the reproductive particles of the fungi, to make sure that they start growing new offshoots when they get to the roots of your plant. Then, we make a concentrated extract with ingredients that support the establishment of mycorrhiza, so that the customer gets maximum benefit from our products.

Is there only one kind of mycorrhizal fungi?

Not at all. There are several types and each works in a slightly different way. This is why in our laboratories, we first seperate and multiply the individual species, and then mix them together to suit the specific needs and demands of different customers. Different plants need different species of mycorrhizal fungi, and the specific formulation can only be reached by involving expert biologists and mycologists in the production.

Is mycorrhiza a fertilizer?

No. Mycorrhizal fungi are living organisms. They support the plant for its entire life. You will not get this from a fertilizer. Fertilizers are important, because they release nutrients into the soil. But only combining natural, slow-release fertilizers (like Conavit®) with mycorhizal fungi can get you the strong, resistant and healthy plants you strive for.

WHY SHOULD I USE MYCORRHIZA?

A plant’s root system, however big, can never be as extensive as the network of fungal fibres. The microscopic filaments grow through the soil and reach much more nutrients than the roots would. When you treat your plants with mycorrhiza, you can be sure that they will use the whole potential of the soil.

Why is all this so important?

By supplying the plant with much more extra water and nutrients, mycorrhizal fungi contribute to superior growth, resistance and health. Just like people should have a good supply of water and a healthy lifestyle based on natural, organic products, so our plants grow much better when they live with a life-long partner and without chemical fertilizers. When we provide them with a solid base and the best possible support, they are much more likely to survive periods of bad conditions.

What can we expect from mycorrhizal treatment?

• Better and more balanced growth

• Healthier and more dense root system with a largely improved ability to get nutrients from the soil

• Richer and denser flowers and fruit

• Significantly lower need of watering and fertilizing

• Higher resistance to drought

• Decreased stress during transplanting

• Stabilization of surface

• Protection against some soil pathogenes and diseases