Odd white mass in the roots.

 
I am clearing a section of my garden so I can grow my own veggies next
year. THere is a plant/shrub that i've dug out but as I was digging i've
come accross some really horrible white stuff, Can anyone point me as to
what it is? Its right inside the root ball of this plant I will attempt
to put some pictures...


+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Filename: DSC_1411.JPG                                             |
|Download: http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid 480|
|Filename: DSC_1412.JPG                                             |
|Download: http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid 481|
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+



--
fuzzie

 On 10/30/11 5:09 AM, fuzzie wrote:

That looks like some kind of fungus.  Unless your soil is already quite
acidic, stir some granular or powdered soil sulfur into the soil.  This
will kill fungus.

If your soil is already acidic, however, then you will have to resort to
a commercial fungicide.  In that case, make sure it is intended as a
soil treatment and not something to spray on foliage.

--
David E. Ross
Climate:  California Mediterranean, see
<http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html>
Gardening diary at <http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary>

 

In this case listen to Kay Lancaster, it, the fungus, is a good thing
and helps your plants. "David E. Ross" has a good heart, but in this
case he is wrong.
--
- Billy

E pluribus unum

 
'Billy[_10_ Wrote:

Wow, firstly, thanks so much for all your replies. THis is great.

So even though this white mass doesnt seem to have a structure it still
could be the fungus? I guess this is good news to an extent. It reminds
me of coagulated white emulsion paint the way it drops off in small
clumps that are somewhat like thick paste consistency.


The question is, when i remove all the shrubs and rotorvate the land,
would it be safe for me to put veggies on this part of the land for
human consumption?


Again, thanks for all your comments.

Nick


+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+



--
fuzzie

 wrote:

Sounds more and more like an ectomycorrhizal body as you describe it more.


Sure.  Most plants are mycorrhizal -- the spores are everywhere in the soil,
and the right species will "infect" the plant species that you plant.
In fact, without mycorrhizae, garden yields would be much lower.

http://www.mycorrhizae.com  is a commercial site... I don't see anything there
on a quick read that is too overhyped, and it's easier to read through than
the research papers here <g>: http://hdl.handle.net/10113/16779  

Kay