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The general public views matsutake mycelium origins as
primarily spore oriented. Spore is like seed, produced to
insure survival of the species. Plant the spore and the
organism will grow. This is not true with matsutake.
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Japanese scientist have attempted for
decades to artificially inoculate trees with matsutake.
There is no record or claims of success, save 1 second
hand account. A seedling was placed in an existing shirro, colony of matsutake, and removed later. Matsutake
was found on it's roots.
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Standard methods for inoculation have failed. There
have been literally millions of attempts by several
scientist around the world, yet few trees have ever
artificially been inoculated from spore.
Recently one team has been successful in growing the
mycelium in large quantities. However growing the
mycelium and creating a symbiotic relationship are
different worlds. Inoculation of trees resulted in the
demise of the trees.
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Those with experience suspect a secession of fungi. A
variety of fungi must precede matsutake. One commercial
harvester and student of matsutake, John Getz, claims to
have observed at least portions of this succession. One
mushroom followed in a few years by another and so on
until matsutake appears. |
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John, as other, has also noted the influence of
deer. Concentrations of matsutake are found along four
legged highways. Common sense would indicate animals
consume the mushroom and deposit spore in there travels.
Yet human attempts to propagate matsutake from spore have
failed. |
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The ability of man to create a matsutake ecosystem is
non existent. In addition, no fruit has ever been
artificially created.
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Much of the workings of the matsutake ecosystem are still
a mystery.
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