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Current Live Stoner Gossip Feb..March..April 2018
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G.Leave
Cultivators Club
Harvest time
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I cant get ove rthe sheer beauty of those purps!!
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What Is Mycelium?
Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus. It is a network of cells living within and throughout almost all landmasses on Earth. More than 8 miles of these cells can be found in a cubic inch of soil (Source: Mycelium Running).
Here’s an awesome close-up photo of soil with mycelium growing through it:
Many mycologists call mycelium “the neurological network of nature”. All ecosystems and agriculture around the world are dependent on mycelium to support healthy and resilient vegetation.
To get a better idea of how mycelium is related to the mushroom itself, imagine any other plant, like a tree. The roots of the tree are underground, just like mycelium, reaching far and wide beneath the soil, absorbing nutrients and water. The mushrooms are more like the tree trunk itself in this analogy – although there are typically a large number of mushrooms, not just a single one.
As a Fungi, mycelium isn’t a member of the Plant kingdom. In biological terms, mycelium is actually more similar to the Animal kingdom than the Plant kingdom because it does not produce its own food. Whether it is obtained directly or indirectly, fungi depend on plants for their food (sugars, vitamins and minerals). This is also how types of Mycelium are classified, as we’ll see in a moment.
Benefits of Mycelium
“Mycelium represents rebirth, rejuvenation and regeneration. Fungi generate soil that gives life.”
-Paul Stamets, mycologist and founder of Fungi Perfecti
Mycelium is an essential part of the planet’s ecosystems. Without mycelium, soil structure would break down, leading to further erosion and multitudes of other problems.
Types of Mycelium
Mycelium is classified into three different categories based upon how they obtain their food from other organisms.
Mycorrhizae: “The Symbiotic Relationship”
Most cultivated plants grow best in a relationship with mycorrhizal fungi and some even require the symbiotic relationship.
Saprophytic: “The Garbage Collectors”
The majority of fungi are saprophytic. Without them the forest floor would become a pile of fallen debris that would keep accumulating over time.
Parasitic: “Disease Causing”
Although parasitic fungi are harmful to their host, they can be indirectly beneficial to other species by creating dead organic matter required for others to survive.
Benefits of Having Mycelium In Your Garden
Promoting the existence of healthy mycelium in your garden has a myriad of benefits. These include:
As an organism, mycelium is still quite mysterious. Mycologists have only identified 14% of mycelium species, leaving us with a whole lot more to learn!
Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus. It is a network of cells living within and throughout almost all landmasses on Earth. More than 8 miles of these cells can be found in a cubic inch of soil (Source: Mycelium Running).
Here’s an awesome close-up photo of soil with mycelium growing through it:
Many mycologists call mycelium “the neurological network of nature”. All ecosystems and agriculture around the world are dependent on mycelium to support healthy and resilient vegetation.
To get a better idea of how mycelium is related to the mushroom itself, imagine any other plant, like a tree. The roots of the tree are underground, just like mycelium, reaching far and wide beneath the soil, absorbing nutrients and water. The mushrooms are more like the tree trunk itself in this analogy – although there are typically a large number of mushrooms, not just a single one.
As a Fungi, mycelium isn’t a member of the Plant kingdom. In biological terms, mycelium is actually more similar to the Animal kingdom than the Plant kingdom because it does not produce its own food. Whether it is obtained directly or indirectly, fungi depend on plants for their food (sugars, vitamins and minerals). This is also how types of Mycelium are classified, as we’ll see in a moment.
Benefits of Mycelium
“Mycelium represents rebirth, rejuvenation and regeneration. Fungi generate soil that gives life.”
-Paul Stamets, mycologist and founder of Fungi Perfecti
Mycelium is an essential part of the planet’s ecosystems. Without mycelium, soil structure would break down, leading to further erosion and multitudes of other problems.
- By breaking down organic matter, mycelium helps create new and fertile soils.
- Mycelium removes industrial toxins from the soil, including pesticides, chlorine, dioxin, and PCBs.
- Trees often become more drought and disease resistant when mycelium is present.
- Paul Stamets has found that mycelium can also be used to cleanse ground water of contaminants and pollutants.
Types of Mycelium
Mycelium is classified into three different categories based upon how they obtain their food from other organisms.
- Mycorrhizae, receives nutrients from living plants in a mutually beneficial relationship.
- Saprophytic, absorbs nutrients from dead organic matter.
- Parasitic, feeds off living host.
Mycorrhizae: “The Symbiotic Relationship”
Most cultivated plants grow best in a relationship with mycorrhizal fungi and some even require the symbiotic relationship.
- The fungus attaches itself to the root of the plant and maximizes the plants surface area. This gives the plant access to nutrients it otherwise would not have been able to reach.
- The plant photosynthesizes the sun’s energy and turns it into sugar, providing carbohydrates for the mycelium.
- Examples include: Chanterelles, Boletes and Morels
Saprophytic: “The Garbage Collectors”
The majority of fungi are saprophytic. Without them the forest floor would become a pile of fallen debris that would keep accumulating over time.
- Saprophytic fungi feed off the dead remains of plants, growing out of fallen logs or piles of leaves.
- They break down organic matter, turning it into nutrient rich soil.
- The majority of edible and medicinal fungi are saprophytes.
- Examples include: Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Oyster, Reishi, Lions Mane
Parasitic: “Disease Causing”
Although parasitic fungi are harmful to their host, they can be indirectly beneficial to other species by creating dead organic matter required for others to survive.
- Parasitic fungi obtain their food from taking nutrients from living organisms.
- They can cause serious damage to plants, harming them and sometimes killing them.
- Parasitic fungi are the main causes of tree die-offs in ecological systems.
- As they kill older trees they provide benefits to forest succession by making way for new growth.
- Examples include: Cordyseps, Aspen Bracket
Benefits of Having Mycelium In Your Garden
Promoting the existence of healthy mycelium in your garden has a myriad of benefits. These include:
- Increases water efficiency as mycelium holds water within the soil.
- Reduces erosion by acting as a cellular net for water and soil particles.
- Improves root growth by adding oxygen to the soil.
- Enhances soil nutrition as it releases nitrogen, phosphate and other micronutrients via the breakdown of organic matter.
- Protects plants against pathogens by competing with pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
- Increases nutrients available to plants.
- Encourages beneficial bacterial growth.
As an organism, mycelium is still quite mysterious. Mycologists have only identified 14% of mycelium species, leaving us with a whole lot more to learn!
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they are really darken up being in the dark. The trichomes 80 to 90% milky 10% amber so I feel I've caught it just right.
I know I'm a bit crazy
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