Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: Pimelia's die?? 2Apr 23, 2013 10:30 pm They depend very much on fungi in the soil. These fungi are called mycorrhiza. The two are essential to each others existence. If something is done to the soil, applied to the plant, or for some other reason, the mycorrhizal fungi die, then so will the plant in many cases. It is a truly beautiful symbiotic relationship. The hair roots of a plant are as small as is efficiently possible for nature to grow. Though to get the full compliament of nutrients plants require to be extremely healthy, the fungi provide This is a close up of a hair root covered in the miccorrhiza. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Many fungicides, fertilisers, wetting agents, pesticides kill this entire relationship. This then makes many plants become deeply dependant on chemical fertilisers and experience more bad fungal problems along with being affected by pest problems as they become easy targets. Most of modern horticulture teaches gardeners and professionals that this is a good thing to have happen. Also a major reason why, (along with many in senior horticulture) will advise to feed the soil, not the plant and make things grow differently to what the garden centres and books tell us. |