Anyone know if Trichoderma Harianum could be added to barrels of sterilized compost, mixed in and let set for weeks or months before use? The second best I guess would be to use a big hole pepper shaker and hit every pot inbetween the rains. Having only 8oz. I don’t feel like using as directed, some is better than nothing. Neil
It’s an interesting idea, and seems like a good one, but I couldn’t give an answer. My one thought would be that as T.h. parasitizes other fungi, I’m wondering if sterilizing would actually even be advised. The T.h. might cultivate the compost better if its not sterile. (?)
If I had some T.f. to spare, I might be tempted to make one of the organic rose-fertilizer recipes with an alfalfa meal base (and fish meal and bone and blood meal and molasses and epsom salts and compost…) and add the stuff (Make sure it stays very well aerated and not too wet not too hot!) and hope it might cultivate the composting fertilizer and create a stock to help create “safe” growing medium with reduced damping off risk…
THen again, I haven’t priced out the stuff, and I’m not speaking from any knowledge.
I haven’t done much in a long time, but I recall thinking in the past that I ironically had less damping off with some of my organic medium than with sterile medium and assumed it was thanks to beneficials like the Trichodermas. But please take my very limited knowledge and opinions with a grain of salt.
It is a very interesting idea. I think it would be worth a shot to test out along side your normal routine.
I did read somewhere that TH has special affinities with Coco Choir.
This year I mixed TH with the mix used to cover seeds and results were good, no damping.
In 2011 I had 10 gram that is 0.3oz That with good results went mixed with some sowing medium and widespread at first seedlings emergence.
TH is known as a Pithium antagonist and interesting in order to reduce seedlings damping off.
Later there are other mycorrhizal funghi some consider better as less exclusive of other symbiotic organisms.
Thanks guys, TH is expensive and took a lot of looking and a close read to get the right root growth enhancer, no one around here ever heard of it.
A special thanks to Pierre for alerting us to the benifits.
The big hole pepper shaker works out great and this 8oz. can will go a long ways so some will go into the barrels also.
I don’t really have a problem with the normal damp off using coca fiber but something similar kills quite a few of them after 5-6 leaves and out of the seed trays. Neil