Collection: Mycorrhizal Inoculants

Increase your soil biology with mycorrhizal inoculants!

19 products

Mycorrhizal Inoculants - Grow Organic

Collection: Increase Your Soil Biology

Boost Your Plant Health with Mycorrhizal Inoculants: Explore Organic Mycorrhizae for Sale

Understanding Mycorrhizal Inoculants

Mycorrhizal inoculant is a powerful tool in gardening and agriculture, leveraging the symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi to enhance plant health and growth. Plants supply sugars to mycorrhizal fungi, and in return, the fungi improve nutrient and water absorption. Using a high-quality mycorrhizal fungi inoculant can significantly boost root development, nutrient uptake, and overall plant vitality. Explore our collection of organic products, including top-rated mycorrhizal inoculant formulas and trusted mycorrhizal fungi inoculant options. Browse our full range of mycorrhizae for sale to find the right solution for your soil and crop needs.

What are Mycorrhizal Inoculants?

Mycorrhizal inoculants, as mentioned earlier, are beneficial fungi that establish a mutually beneficial relationship with a plant's roots. The term 'inoculant' implies that these fungi are introduced to the soil intentionally to enhance plant performance. This partnership between plants and fungi has evolved over millions of years and is a testament to the intricate web of life in the soil.

The concept behind mycorrhizal inoculants is quite straightforward: plants supply the fungi with sugars through photosynthesis, and in return, the fungi extend their hyphae (tiny root-like structures) into the soil, significantly increasing the surface area for nutrient and water absorption. This enhanced nutrient uptake can improve plant growth, disease resistance, and overall vitality.

Types of Mycorrhizal Fungi

You should be aware of two primary types of mycorrhizal fungi: Ectomycorrhizal fungi and Endomycorrhizal fungi.

  1. Ectomycorrhizal Fungi: These fungi are primarily associated with trees. They form a sheath around the tree's root tips, enhancing nutrient uptake from the soil. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are vital for the health of many forest ecosystems.

  2. Endomycorrhizal Fungi: Endomycorrhizal fungi, on the other hand, are the most common type and are associated with a wide variety of plants, including many crops and ornamentals. They form a symbiotic relationship by penetrating the plant's root cells, forming structures called arbuscules and vesicles that aid in nutrient exchange.

Supplementing Your Soil

In some cases, the natural presence of mycorrhizal fungi in your soil may be insufficient to support optimal plant growth. This is especially true if you cultivate plants in depleted or disturbed soils. In such scenarios, introducing mycorrhizal inoculants can be a game-changer.

When transplanting plants or trees, consider adding mycorrhizal inoculants to your planting mix. This simple step can significantly boost your plants' ability to access essential nutrients and water, helping them establish healthier root systems and thrive in their new environment.

Sulfur Fertilizers

While not directly related to mycorrhizal inoculants, sulfur is essential in soil health and plant nutrition. Sulfur (S) is often overlooked but is crucial in various plant metabolic processes. Similar to nitrogen, sulfur is a key component of proteins and is involved in the formation of essential amino acids.

Sulfur is usually present in the soil in various forms, such as elemental sulfur or compounds like gypsum. In high concentrations, sulfur can even influence soil pH, making it more acidic. However, it's important to note that it takes a substantial amount of sulfur to significantly impact soil pH and potentially harm plants.

For gardeners and farmers looking to optimize sulfur levels in their soil, sulfur fertilizers can be applied. These fertilizers are a valuable tool in fine-tuning soil nutrient balance and ensuring that plants have access to this often-neglected but essential element.

Mycorrhizal inoculants and sulfur fertilizers are valuable additions to the arsenal of tools available to gardeners and farmers. While mycorrhizal inoculants harness the power of beneficial fungi to enhance plant health, sulfur fertilizers help maintain optimal nutrient balance in the soil. Understanding and effectively utilizing these products can lead to healthier, more resilient plants and improved agricultural yields.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.