Too late to apply mycorrhiza

[subeedude]

I planted and over-seeded part of my lawn in the early fall, but afterwards and now, we had near record rainfall and colder temperatures than in recent memory for fall. I purchased a mycorrhiza root stimulator in granular form to put on the lawn to supplement the powered form I used at time of planting but probably washed away. Some organic lawn care authorities suggest that the research indicates that for mycorrhiza to be effective on lawn grasses, it must be applied early in the growth of the roots. I'm thinking that it may be a waste of money to try to apply and drench the soil now based upon the lower ambient temperatures. I'm also thinking that it may be too late to spread it in the spring after aeration. What do the authorities here opine?

[phasthound]

I planted and over-seeded part of my lawn in the early fall, but afterwards and now, we had near record rainfall and colder temperatures than in recent memory for fall. I purchased a mycorrhiza root stimulator in granular form to put on the lawn to supplement the powered form I used at time of planting but probably washed away. Some organic lawn care authorities suggest that the research indicates that for mycorrhiza to be effective on lawn grasses, it must be applied early in the growth of the roots. I'm thinking that it may be a waste of money to try to apply and drench the soil now based upon the lower ambient temperatures. I'm also thinking that it may be too late to spread it in the spring after aeration. What do the authorities here opine?

You're initial inoculation probably worked unless the heavy rains happened soon after seeding. You'll be better off applying the granular now than waiting until spring.

[subeedude]

Thank you for your help. Could you tell me at what temperature the mycorrhiza will attach, grow or be active? When do they go dormant? Thanks

[Tim Wilson]

To the best of my knowledge endomycorrhizal fungi goes into dormancy and sporulates when it's host plant goes dormant or dies.

[morlawn]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I also have a question on the use of granular mycorhiza. Some new lawns require a pH adjustment and the pellet lime only gets incorporated 2-3 inches deep. Amount of lime is reduced to approx. 2/7 of recommended amount, but still raises the pH in this depth range to over 7.0 (as checked w/ Kelway meter). Have read that alkaline conditions can kill VAM. Am I making a big mistake by trying to do both operations at the same time?