Mycorrhizal Fungi and Cannabis: A Useful Symbiosis

When you take a walk in the forest and see a mushroom, you may not be aware of the incredible mycelial network underneath it. Mushrooms are just the tip of the iceberg. They are just the fruiting bodies of Mycorrhizal fungi. Did you know that these fungi are extremely useful to over 90% of the plants and trees on our planet? And yes, it is very useful to cannabis plants too!
A Mycorrhizae is a symbiotic relationship between the fungi and the plant. Let’s find out more about the Mycorrhizae in Cannabis.

How Does It Work?

After mycorrhizal fungi spores germinate, they colonize the plant roots by penetrating into the epidermis of the roots. Once they have successfully colonized the roots, the fungi start producing branching filaments merging with the roots called hyphae. This network of hyphae then spreads throughout the soil thereby increasing the total surface area of the roots. This, in turn allows the plant to use the water and nutrients present in the soil much more efficiently!

The Major Benefits

The symbiosis mycorrhizal fungi produce leads to healthier plants. By getting the nutrients they want when they want it, cannabis plants become much more low-maintenance. These fungi also help the plants fight off diseases, and find water when it is scarce. In other words, these beneficial organisms can help cannabis plants be more resistant and experience less stress.

Fertilizers And Fungi

There is no free lunch! Although the fungi help the plants find food and water and be healthy, they also take energy from the plant. It is a trade off. In return, the plant provides the fungi with carbohydrates it produces through photosynthesis. That is why, if you grow cannabis using mineral fertilizers, it’s not always best to use mycorrhizal fungi. However, in organic gardening, they are very beneficial to the plants and can help increase yields.

Naturally Present Everywhere

Mycorrhizal fungi are present almost everywhere is the wild. That is why some trees can live for thousands of years without getting sick or lacking nutrients. These fungi are present in most soils, but their levels are often too low for proper colonization. Therefore, it will give you much better results if you inoculate your plants with the spores yourself.
Likewise, if you grow your cannabis in a soil-less media such as coco coir or peat, there won’t be any fungi naturally present so you will need to add them.

Mycorrhizae

Which one should you buy?

There is a multitude of different mycorrhizal fungi out there. However, only one variety is known to form symbiotic relationships with cannabis. No need to waste your money buying many types of mycorrhizal fungi. The one that works with marijuana plants has many names. It is called: Glomus Mosseae, Glomus Intraradices, Rhizophagus Intraradices and Rhizophagus Mosseae even though it is the same mycorrhizal fungus. It’s pretty hard to come by and a little expensive but fortunately you only need small amounts of mycorrhizal fungi for them to colonize the roots of your plants.

When Should You Inoculate Your Plants?

The sooner, the better! Mycorrhizal fungi often come as a powder. Rub the fungi on your seeds or sprinkle it on your cuttings from the very beginning. You can also mix it with the soil right around the seeds or clones.

Super Simple To Use

Once you have found the right type of fungus for your cannabis and inoculated your seeds or clones, you’re all set! There is nothing else to do but keep the soil moist although not to wet.
At this point, the fungus will start working its magic!

Cannabis clone inoculated with Mycorrhizal fungi

Combining Mycorrhizal Fungi with Organic Cannabis Methods

While exploring the benefits of mycorrhizal fungi in cannabis cultivation, it’s equally important to consider holistic organic growing methods. We Grow NYC offers a comprehensive guide titled Organic Cannabis: The Natural Way to Cultivate and Enjoy, which delves into the essentials of organic cannabis cultivation, complementing the use of beneficial fungi. Their step-by-step approach to organic gardening will provide you with valuable insights into creating a thriving, natural cannabis garden.