can I use local pine forest fungi as an inoculant?

Hey!
I took a walk in a local pine forest today, and had a scratch of the loose pine needle/forest debris surface. Immediately I began to see a prolific white fungi web just below the surface.

Can I take some of this and mix it with my potting compost/compost heap/compost tea/beds as an inoculant?
I'm excited, because if I can use it, it is a source of locale-acclimatised fungi.

My worry is that:
a) It might be a some sort of non-benifial or even harmful fungi
b) it might not do so well in my garden, as it is used to the more acidic conditions of a pine forest.

I am sure you could but without knowing what fungi it could be harmful, helpful, or useless. Just pick some manure or compost, brew and apply.

OPfarmer said:

Ectomycorrhizae is the fungi that associates with many types of tree roots.

Pot, associates with Endomycorrhizae, same with many green leafy plants. But not brassica, they do not associate to fungi.

Anyway it can't hurt, but it's not what fungi you are after.

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ahah.
I had read that - but totally forgotten it. thanks!

When i was in the service, the yards keepers went around stump grinding all the old dead trees, many had mushrooms growing on them after rains. My front yard was very many and vid of organic matter. I collected the bark and worked it into my soil, and by the time i moved out i had a thick lawn with mushrooms growing out of it in the dessert of NM!

Its worth a a shot. Probably wont hurt anything.

OPfarmer said:

but it's not what fungi you are after.

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AMF isn't the only beneficial fungus, it's just the most directly beneficial.
I take a more embracing approach to fungi-- they're all beneficial unless shown otherwise, because they break down organic matter and minerals in the soil. They aren't necessarily trading that effort directly to the plant for carbs symbiotically, but your plants still get some.

Miyagismokes said:

AMF isn't the only beneficial fungus, it's just the most directly beneficial.
I take a more embracing approach to fungi-- they're all beneficial unless shown otherwise, because they break down organic matter and minerals in the soil. They aren't necessarily trading that effort directly to the plant for carbs symbiotically, but your plants still get some.

Click to expand...

Here what you are saying! I used to add forest soil and lots of other fungi from rotting wood to my mix.

For the sake of argument... This stoned mind knows many fungi are quite competitive and aggressive. (Grow oyster mushrooms for market) . This makes me wonder if ecto forest tree myco plays nice with Endo plant myco? While any fungi may be beneficial, Endo will develop a relationship.

Think about growing truffles. You can not innocculate trees that are on or have been on forest soil, only medow/grass.

The forest fungi are aggressive and kill the truffle fungi. Don't know if it applies to Endo and ecto?

Guess I like being selective, about my archea, bacteria, and fungi...