I think the problem is that you can't emphatically say "that plant did better because I slung a load of rootgrow around before planting it out"
in the same way that you can say "pruning a shrub back hard encourages vigorous young growth" which is easily visible and comparable.
So, you have to take it on faith that this fungi is beneficial, or start up your own trials field to see how well it works in your particular patch.
Given that
the RHS sells "Empathy RHS Rootgrow", you'd hope they've done enough testing to show that this rooting powder does indeed boost plant roots.
There's no mention of any scientific research on the sales page, but having a quick poke about online, there are research papers stating this stuff does benefit plants in the way Empathy outlines.
Kew has papers explaining how the fungi works in tandem with the roots, to a plant's benefit. By applying this stuff you're basically speeding up the natural process of this fungi appearing.
Not everyone here watches Gardener's World, but the namesake TV show has more than once suggested using this powder. I don't believe that the people suggesting it own stock in the fungi industry or anything nefarious.
The problem is there are so many variables in our gardens, that two of the same species planted out at the same time under the same circumstances, one might flourish and the other fail.
Someone might slather a load of rootgrow over their plant, bung it into poor soil, or in the wrong situation, such that the application is mitigated... or finds despite all that the plant flourished.
On the other end of the spectrum, a skilled gardener's careful planting and cultivation could well mitigate the need for rootgrow.
At the end of the day, if you have the money to use it go ahead and use it, as it certainly won't harm the plants, and in theory at least should help them settle faster.
...I've seen not one shred of proper scientific evidence to justify my purchase of a garden fork, tomato seeds, rake, daffodil bulbs, apple tree, tea mug, pea netting, barbeque, garden chair...
Seems a fairly stupid comment. Presumably you've seen from your own experience that these thing definitely work, otherwise whey would you buy them? I've seen no evidence that ADDING MF to already good soil has any benefits whatsoever. Please show evidence of some double blind experiments which show otherwise.
I'm trying to, hopefully gently, point out that:
-When you tell us that you've seen no evidence, without telling us about your research into the subject, all we are left with is a statement of your ignorance on the matter
(absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, as you know)
-There are many good motivations for actions and decisions which do not require scientific evidence
-There are many good motivations for actions and decisions which do not require scientific evidence
And gullibility and jumping on bandwagons are two of them.
I'll stick to making / adding tons of organic compost to my garden every year. If folk want to waste their money buying mass produced products , that's up to them.
Posts
"that plant did better because I slung a load of rootgrow around before planting it out"
in the same way that you can say
"pruning a shrub back hard encourages vigorous young growth"
which is easily visible and comparable.
So, you have to take it on faith that this fungi is beneficial, or start up your own trials field to see how well it works in your particular patch.
Given that
The problem is there are so many variables in our gardens, that two of the same species planted out at the same time under the same circumstances, one might flourish and the other fail.
- Someone might slather a load of rootgrow over their plant, bung it into poor soil, or in the wrong situation, such that the application is mitigated... or finds despite all that the plant flourished.
- On the other end of the spectrum, a skilled gardener's careful planting and cultivation could well mitigate the need for rootgrow.
At the end of the day, if you have the money to use it go ahead and use it, as it certainly won't harm the plants, and in theory at least should help them settle faster.I'll stick to making / adding tons of organic compost to my garden every year.
If folk want to waste their money buying mass produced products , that's up to them.