By Kim Reiss
Sounds crazy, right? “What’s the catch?,” or maybe the fine print is so fine (and confusing) that you’re sure you’re being duped.
I’m pleased to report that with the use of a new product – Myke, short for mycorrhizae – they truly guarantee every newly planted tree or shrub for FIVE YEARS. I was skeptical at first, but after learning more about the product, it makes sense.
Mycorrhizae (pronounced My-cor-rye-say) is fungi that form on the roots of many plants. The fungi benefit from the plant’s food and nutrients, and in return, they send out small roots into the soil to absorb nutrients and water. Everyone’s happy!
So if mycorrhizae actually makes it easier for a plant to absorb nutrients and water – then any plant treated with the fungus will have an advantage in times of drought, stress, and even some diseases. Drought and stress? Did someone just say “Summer of 2012?”
Mycorrhizae occurs naturally in the soil, but in areas where there’s been heavy pesticide use or the soil has been disturbed by heavy construction, the fungus is considerably diminished. By adding a product like Myke to tree and shrub roots when you plant, it’s like giving them a strong dose of TLC. Studies have shown that roots with mycorrhizae spread over the available space twice as fast, and you reduce watering needs by 30%.
It’s also nontoxic and safe for pets. Save your receipt for the life of the guarantee, and you’re in the clear. As president of the St. Louis Hydrangea Society, I’m certainly going to give it a try when I plant this year. I’ll also be adding it to existing plants.
I always tell my kids that if an offer sounds too good to be true, than it is. But I think in terms of Myke, you can’t go wrong!
Kim Reiss works at Sugar Creek Gardens in Kirkwood, Mo., a nursery that specializes in unusual perennials, annuals, shrubs, roses, and vines. She is also head of the St. Louis Hydrangea Society.