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How do I use rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi

Rootgrow and rootgrowplus

It is very important that these granules come into direct contact with the plant roots. The planting process is,

  1. Dig planting hole as normal
  2. Look at the base of the plant that is being planted and sprinkle into the bottom of the planting hole enough granules to cover ONLY that area.
  3. Place the plant in the hole directly on top of the granules (you shouldn’t see any granules around the plant once it is placed in the hole.
  4. Backfill as normal with compost/soil and whatever fertilisers are required.
  5. Mulch.

For more information click here (dry mix application)

Treating existing plants

It is possible to treat plants that are already planted out. Rootgrow is a living symbiotic product and must have a living host plant to survive. Therefore you need to plant around the plant to be treated (target plant) with other smaller plants that will act as a host. Below ground rootgrow will grow toward the target plant and colonise it.

  1. Choose which plants you are going to plant around the target plant by consulting the table below.
  2. The number of plants you need will depend on the size of the plant that is to be treated.
  3. Generally plant up using an odd number of plants 3,5,7 or 9 spread equidistantly around the edge of the plant.
  4. The spread of the above ground parts of the plant will usually be mirrored by the roots so place the plants around the edge of the canopy
  5. Plant them following the advice in the guidance notes for applying the dry granule formulation.

Latin Common Latin Common
       
Achillea filipendulina Fern Leaf Yarrow Iberis umbellata Candytuft
Aconitum spp   Lamium spp. Dead Nettle
Ajuga reptans Common Bulge Lavandula spp. Lavender
Allium spp.   Limnanthes douglasii Poached-egg plant
Anethum graveolens Dill Lobellia spp. Lobelia
Anthemis tinctora Yellow Chamomile Lonicera spp. Honeysuckle
Aquilegia spp.   Papaver spp. Poppy
Calendula officinalis Pot Marigold Phacelia tanacetifolia Phacelia
Crocus spp.   Primula spp. Primroses
Eryngium spp   Pulmonaria spp.  
Eschscholzia californica Californiana Poppy Rudbeckia spp. Coneflower
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Sedum spp.  
Galanthus spp. Snowdrop Solidago virgaurea Golden Rod
Geranium spp.   Vinca spp. Periwinkle

Word of caution

  1. Do not apply fertilisers directly onto the fungal granules.
  2. Do not overdose, it will not benefit the plant and it is a waste of money.

Rootgrowplus Gel for bare root plants

rootgrowplus for bare rooted or cell plants

  1. Take a large bucket and fill with 4 litres of water.
  2. Sprinkle the contents of the sachet of white gel powder into the water, and stir well.
  3. Leave for 5 minutes then add the rootgrowplus granules and stir. The granules should be suspended evenly through the thick liquid (a wallpaper paste consistency).
  4. Dip the roots of the plants in this gel and allow coverage of the whole root system. If the liquid seems too thick add up to 1 more litre of water. Lift the plants out, allow to drain and plant immediately.

Please note

  1. Dip the whips one at a time and ensure even coverage.
  2. If there is any gel left it will keep only for a few days in a sealed container in a fridge. Stir it well before using it.

Plant Size Approximate Number treated by 360g rootgrowplus
Cell 125-150
> 1 foot (30cm) 125-150
1-2 feet (30-60cm) 100-130
2-3 feet (60-90cm) 75-100
3-4 feet (90-120cm) 50-75
4-5 feet (120-150cm) 50-75
5-6 feet (150-180cm) 50-75
Rose 40-60

Please note this is an approximate guide

Different species of plants have different shaped roots. Some will be bushier and take more gel to treat them. Adjust the consistency of the gel to suit the plants you are treating. Some bare root plants, such as Guelder rose (Viburnum opuls) in particular have a very fibrous root system and will use a lot of gel.