inoculants

[charley]

ok i need a little help hear for the last 3 years ive been trying differant inoculants and then someone and caint remember who or where its posted talks about the best ones to use .im not shure what to look for when buying them and i want to add some to the seeds i just started .also the best place to buy on line

[clkeiper]

To my knowledge inoculants are used only on legume crops... is that what you are planting? the inoculant is a fungus that stores nitrogen on the roots and when the plant dies it is released back into the soil in a form the next plant can use. sorry I don't know if there are specific strains, but you need one when planting the seeds just to "fix" the nitrogen to the root.

[BettaPonic]

I would recommend great white, they are a great brand. I use them mainly for Coco, but they have a soil line.

[PureHarvest]

Rootshield http://www.bioworksinc.com/products/...se-control.php

or Actinovate http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-sup...FceEswod5NsNAg

[BigVanVader]

Actinovate is used by many commercial growers so I'd say it is a safe bet.

[PureHarvest]

Some potting mixes already have inoculants added (like the Promix HP I use):

Biofungicide is a naturally occurring strain of bacteria called Bacillus pumilus (GHA180). This bacterium enhances plant growth and combats harmful organisms such as Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia.

Mycorrhizae - GHA297 Technology is a Biological Growth Enhancer that increases the yield of flower, fruit and vegetable plants by extending the root system to acquire the most of available nutrients in the soil. Mycorrhizae also improve resistance to root diseases and stresses.

There are some products out there that have many species of beneficial bacteria and/or fungi. Some of the stuff I've read says this "shotgun" approach is not necessary or even valuable due to the unknown compatibility of each organism. There could be a net zero effect if they are working against each other. Some believe it is better to target 1 or 2 species that are known to create vigor or resistance and keep it simple. But I can not speak first hand to the validity of either philosophy. Food for thought.

[PureHarvest]

There is also a 3 way blend of beneficial bacteria that I am gonna try this year called Accomplish. My in laws buy bulk totes of it for their corn/soybean acreage, and I can snag a few ounces.
1-2 ounces per gallon and drench your seedling's roots before planting.
It is OMRI listed too as its naturally occuring bacteria: Bacillus lichenformis, megaterium, and pumilus.
They claim: Improves nutrient availability and uptake
Enhances nutrient use efficiency
Promotes better root growth and development
Improves plant performance
Improves water penetration
Reduces salt stress
Increases yield potential

[BettaPonic]

I use many brands and have found amazon to be great source of inoculants.

[Ricky Shaw]

Or check your local hydroponics store, mine keeps the Extreme products. The Mykos, mycorrhizae innoculant, is what comes in promix and what I'll be using for the coco. I think Extreme sponsors a lot of tomato and pumpkin events, not a fly by night vendor like so many in hydro.

[BettaPonic]

I use Azos and have great success. You can get mycorrhizae at your local garden store too.

[kurt]

Here is some good background info from the archives,our member across the pond(amiduetch) has some some images.I started using it and never looked back.

http://www.tomatoville.com/search.php?searchid=2548646

[greenthumbomaha]

I had good results with TomatoThrive (liquid) and its garden siblings but its hard to find now. Actinovate was an expensive disappointment in my garden.

There is an older thread on mycos and their efficacy in potting soil formulations. Age and bag storage conditions plays a big role in results. I would like to see any recent research in this topic.

- Lisa

[PureHarvest]

Ive read that too Lisa. I've also read of the concern of some additives (moisture crystals in miracle grow soil with water control) settling out in the bag during shipping and handling.
I made sure to get my pallet of promix ordered early so it would come on the trailer load of products my dad gets every year direct from Premier. They change the design on the bale so you can tell how new it is. It is my expectation that mine will be fresh. I've never thought to look for a date stamp on the bale. I'll have to check some of my unopened ones left from last year.

[charley]

Mycorrhizae yep thats what i was looking for .i pulled some old turnups up today and there was white little roots looked kinda like webbs all over the roots i think that was mycorrhizae please coprrect me if im wrong.if it is can i colect them put them in a watter bottle and spray with it

[MissS]

Originally Posted by charley

Mycorrhizae yep thats what i was looking for .i pulled some old turnups up today and there was white little roots looked kinda like webbs all over the roots i think that was mycorrhizae please coprrect me if im wrong.if it is can i colect them put them in a watter bottle and spray with it

Yep, those little white webs are the Mycos growing. I don't know if you can harvest them that way or not. I just always start anew and use MycoGrow from Fungi Perfect.