Microbes and their Benefits

The words 'bacteria' and 'fungi' often make diseases spring to mind but this is not always the case! There are many types of bacteria and fungi that can benefit plants and help to maximise the yields.

Beneficial Microbes

All living things survive by developing relationships with other things and this also applies to plants. Plant roots are surrounded by an area known as the rhizosphere, an ecosystem thriving with fungi, bacteria and various other organisms living on or near to the roots. In a natural environment there is an abundance of these but in an indoor garden this is often not the case due to the sterilisation. However, if introduced and taken care of they can contribute a lot to your growth.

Their Importance

Beneficial microbes can do a variety of things. Directly helping your plants to take in nutrients or can change the nutrients so they are more available to your plants. Fighting off harmful microbes or changing the pH in the environment. Some will even say they affect the taste of your plant! All together it means your plants can grow faster and stronger with little extra effort.

Defence: Often it won't be obvious that a plant is being attacked by harmful bacteria until the stress is actually visible. If the beneficial microbes are present they can either eat or out-perform any harmful ones

Nutrient Uptake: A problem caused by incorrect pH is known as 'nutrient lockout', where the nutrients will bond with one another and become difficult for a plant to take up or too complex to break down. Microbes can take care if this by metabolising and secreting them back to the soil in a form that your plants can use.

Beneficial Microbe Varieties

Beneficial Fungus: This protects plant roots from diseases, insects and various soil toxins. They are also known to increase the rate of plant growth

Beneficial Bacteria: As well as helping to fight off diseases they also provide chemical changes to the growth medium. Some bacteria can help to provide your plants with nitrogen and will feed from pnat nutrients, digest them and produce enzymes that are easier for a plant to use. Some bacteria, an example being Bacillus Thurengensis, will produce an enzyme that kills insect pests.

Microbes Management

You may have heard of micro-management, well now it is time for some microbe management!

Soil: First of all be sure to introduce the microbes to the soil from the outset. Water it thoroughly but if it is overwatered drain off any excess. Keep the environment moist and at a good temperature. Providing extra nutrients such as molasses or kelp will give extra carbohydrates to feed the microbes, which will also feed from the plants.

Water: Pure water is the best! Reverse Osmosis will do the trick here.

Hydroponics: Microbes work really well in a hydroponic system but they need to latch on to the roots as they will simply perish when floating around in the solution. Add them a couple of days before a scheduled  water change and this will ensure that no perishing microbes will harm the liquid.

Overall, microbes are great when helping your plants to fight diseases and to take up nutrients. They are like the little helpers that will go a long way to show love to your plants! Check this one out from Biobizz