Fact or Myth: Don't use Trichoderma in flower

deflectohead

Active Member
So I've been told by a few different heads including a couple workers at the local shop to not use Trichoderma products in flower. When I ask why I always get the same ol answer "it preys on myco and that's bad". Yes, Trichoderma does prey on other fungal species but I can't find any supporting info on the web saying that it will have a negative effect in flower.. So, does anyone know from experience that it will it have a negative effect on plants in flower? Does anyone have any real verifiable info on the matter??
 

kinddiesel

Well-Known Member
to make sure were on the same page your talking about bacteria ? adding that when you water . if so yes why not add it ? I add a mix of it through veg and through flower, but usually back off late flower. there is no point then.
 

deflectohead

Active Member
Trichoderma is a fungi. I am talking about using things like great white, plant success, or any other fungi innoculant that contains Trichoderma wether it be in a water soluble form or directly adding it to your top soil. For example, I have a compost mix that contains Trichoderma, among many other things, to brew ACT's. But, I am hesitant to use it in flower because of all these warnings that have been tossed at me. Here's the website that has the compost mix' ingredients [FONT=.HelveticaNeueUI]http://www.fullcirclecompost.com/SoilEssenceEliteGardenBoost.php[/FONT]
 

kinddiesel

Well-Known Member
yes I use great white liquid form , no problems mine give the plants bigger health roots. so they will get max yields. there will not be any problems at all using this. I use it and I have been using it for over a few years even in harvest. the bottle I use is liquid black bottle with a picture of a shark on it.
 

kinddiesel

Well-Known Member
was trying to say I even used it when I was flushing. because I have to mix the water for more then a few plants.
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
I don't know about trichoderma preying on bacteria. I know protozoa preys on all microbes.. There are 35 different species of trichoderma fungi. Fungi is good during flower. It regulates the amount of nitrogen that plants can uptake and imo can greatly contribute to larger buds. I try to make fungi dominant teas during flower and bacteria dominant during veg. Plants are going to utilize what ever they choose whether its bacteria or fungi or both. It varies from strain to strain to strain. So obviously the guy at the hydro shop is clueless.. That's nothing new...

I think before working at a hydro shop they have to go through training and a series of tests to prove adequate and proper knowledge. I have maybe gotten good advice once from a hydro shop out of hundreds of times....
 

Nullis

Moderator
Trichoderma does tend to attack mycorrhizal fungi. Nobody is going to be able tell you specifically how the microbes in your soil are going to interact with themselves or each other. Mycorrhizal fungi themselves enter into symbiosis with helper bacteria, for instance.

I've actually seen this first hand, though. I use Sunshine Advanced Mix #4, which has or should have mycorrhizal fungi (only). Not long ago I opened up a bale of SAM#4 and to my surprise I was greeted by an orange-dusty presence... which I ascertained to be some strain of Trichoderma. It was growing on the side closest the packaging and covered those surfaces entirely.
 

SpicySativa

Well-Known Member
Go on Google Scholar and do some searches for "Trichoderma mycorrhiza", or similar search strings. What you'll find is that Trichoderma absolutely DO inhibit mycorrhiza. I've written several posts about this already, so I'm going to keep this one brief...

The inhibitory effect tends to be strongest early on, when mycorrhizal fungi are germinating and getting themselves established. If you look at the ingredients of most commercial products (Great White, Oregonism, etc), you will find they contain VASTLY greater quantities of Trichoderma than Glomus intraradices and Glomus Mossaea. Trichoderma germinate faster than mycorrhizal fungi, so adding these products creates a pretty inhospitable environment for the mycorrhizal fungi you just shelled out money for. Other studies have found that mycorrhiza that are already established are quite resistant to Trichoderma.

Long story short, it would be best to FIRST inoculate your plants with a mycorrhizal fungi product that DOESN'T contain Trichoderma, and then follow up several weeks later with Trichoderma if you so choose (after the mycorrhiza have established themselves). If you are using healthy compost in your soil, you likely already have a healthy population of all manor of fungi, including Trichoderma. Mycorrhizal fungi on the other hand need living plant roots to grow, so inoculating early in is a good idea.
 

Organic Toker

Active Member
I have been using Trichoderma, which I culture myself (means I know what's in it) *wink*
I will never say this for any other plants, but with my own experience Trichoderma is not a good option as foliar spray to cannabis. Root drench is okay, but not too much. Tricho has caused me rot, on the leaves in an indoor grow as well as outdoor grow. My observation is that, if the leaf is about to die- tricho will make it dinner.

But tricho won't harm mycorrhiza, as far as I know. Tricho is a very rapid growing organism, hence can eliminate the grow space and maybe food of the mycorrhiza. Trichoderma in cultures can easily overgrow any bacteria and that's what I have seen. So if you want to use tricho, be sure it is very much diluted.

If you are interested in shielding your plants from other pathogenic bacteria/fungus use Pseudomonas fluroscence as bio-control. I have been giving foliar and root drench of Pseudo during high moisture climate. You can check out my outdoor grow to see the effects. No deficiencies, no rot, no bacterial diseases. Spread the word, Pseudomonas is the best thing for cannabis.

Heck I even use Pseudomonas spray like a fungicide- my tools,trays,potting soil,seeds. I have also observed that Pseudo can increase the shelf life of vegetables and fruits. So if all goes well, I was hoping to use Pseudo when I get my lady to flower(hopefully) on the buds to shoo away mold.
I hope the information helped.

Cheers!
Toker.
 

Organic Toker

Active Member


Heya Nullis,

Great info on the link. I have only tested the Myco vs Tricho in a petri dish in a cultured medium (meaning 100% growth for both). But the tests in reality will depend on-

1. The strains, that is the change in species of microbes used.
2. Soil conditions/climatic factors.

I have observed that Tricho can rapidly achieve growth but shelf life is shorter than our myco. Again all depends on strain, as Trichoderma viridae is slow growing and less active than Trichoderma harzianum. But both are good as bio-control.

My opinion, why should be there a risk of testing them on your beloved plants. For test purposes we can use the male ones or the clones ;)

Just my thoughts.


Peace!!

Toker.
 
Based on some articled that I've read, It's a myth.
using Trichoderma during the flowering stage can be particularly beneficial as it supports overall plant health and can contribute to better flower development and quality. It helps to protect plants from pathogenic fungi and enhance nutrient absorption, which can have positive effects on flower production.
 
Myth using Trichoderma during the flowering stage can be particularly beneficial as it supports overall plant health and can contribute to better flower development and quality. It helps to protect plants from pathogenic fungi and enhance nutrient absorption, which can have positive effects on flower production.
 

amneziaHaze

Well-Known Member
damn i didnt know that.i used it in flower had beautiful smoke.now if i could have had better no idea. but as one user says if its true after your myco establishes it selfe it shouldnt be a problem hopfully.i usually do 2 mycos one in seedling stage one half way in veg. then when i start flower i add bacteria with tricos.
as i understand tricos should make your plant more mold resistant
 

Medskunk

Well-Known Member
I always use a little bit every 3-4 weeks and the plants just keep going! I read that myccos take 6 weeks to get established and are antogonistic with trichodermas but still a good battle plants look lush.
 
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