What is attacking this conifer?

[mark smyth]

I was going to plant this in a trough today but couldnt believe what I saw

[Onion]

Mark,

It looks for me as a mychorriza fungus. The tips of the roots are white. So they the plant is not sick.
We only see the roots, not the conifer.

[mark smyth]

The conifer is OK

[Onion]

Mark,

I knew this "white foliage" from the conifers in containers in the nursery. Especially of pines. They live together with a fungus, horticulture term is mycorhizza (Not sure as it is the right spelling in English). The fungus help the roots of the conifers to get the nutrients from the soil. The fungus build fine root hairs around the roots of the conifer.

[Maggi Young]

I agree with Uli, Mark. We see this in all our pot grown conifers and bonsai, especially pines. A natural adjunct to the roots. I don't know the name of the organism.

[johnw]

The conifer is OK

Mark - speaking of mychorrizal fungus have you ever tried the commercial one especially for bulbs? It is sold here under the Myke label.

johnw