The Benefits of using Mycorrhizae for Giant Pumpkins By The last few years has seen most all of the top pumpkin growers begin to use Mycorrhizae. The expanded use has played a significant role in the recent increases in pumpkin size and weight. It has become clear that using the correct type of Mycorrhizae in three different ways can greatly increase the giant pumpkin growers opportunities for success. Endo, also called “Abuscular” Mycorrhizae should be used in the seed starting mix, in the planting hole and at each leaf axil on the main and lateral vines for maximum effectiveness. Mycorrhizae literally means “Fungus Foot” and Endo means “Within”. The Endo or Abuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi grows within the roots and pushes hyphae out into the soil. Hyphae are much thinner than even root hairs and are able to penetrate the tiniest pores in the soil. A thimbleful of healthy inoculated soil can contain miles of these fungal hyphae. The interaction between the soil, the plant, and the fungus is extraordinary, in exchange for sugars from the host plant. The fungi produce chemicals and enzymes which modify the soil structure and chemistry. The excretions by the fungi not only form aggregates or soil crumbs, but also unlock tightly bound nutrients such as phosphorous, and transport these nutrients back to the plant via the vast network of hyphae in the soil. The Mycorrhizal fungi need the sugars produced by the plants leaves through photosynthesis, so they have evolved to help the plant in every conceivable way. Not only does this synergistic relationship result in a better soil structure and greatly expand a plants access to soil nutrients and water, the process goes a step further! The Endo Mycorrhizal fungi need a healthy plant so they also are able to wage chemical warfare against disease and pathenogenic activity. The fungi actually release powerful antibiotics to protect the host plant and its root systems from disease, such as fusarium, phythium, phytophthora, rhizoctonia. One important consideration is to use enough Mycorrhizae to establish enough colonization of the root systems to get the optimum results. There is no practical way to overdose, the only consideration is a cost benefit analysis. I don’t think we have seen a level of diminishing returns as yet. The The last several years we have assisted several clubs in making BioGrow Endo Plus available to their members at considerable savings through bulk purchases that save a lot in quantity discounts and freight costs. Our local Northwest club has the ability to save even more. If a member of any giant pumpkin club would like to facilitate procurement and disbursement, I would be very happy to work with them to make it as cost effective as possible for all members. Many brands of Mycorrhizae are blends of Endo meaning “within the root” and Ecto meaning “outside the root”. Our BioGrow Endo Plus has three species of “Endo” and also 2 species of Trichoderma, another powerful tool against pathogens. We also time our supply so it is absolutely fresh for the growing season. Many growers are finding BioGrow Endo Plus can provide the same benefits they see with their pumpkins to other garden plants as well. Endo, or Abuscular Mycorrhizae can actually benefit 9 out of 10 of the 300,000 species of vascular plants in the World. These include most vines, vegetables, fruits, grains, grasses and nut or fruit producing trees. Many other trees including Pines need Ecto, but who wants to grow a giant pine cone? If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. More information is also available at: Holland’s Giants Sumner WA 98390 (253) 840-3575 Email:hollandsgiants@msn.com
