Prized examples were valued at more than a mansion with servants, although it was not discovered until the early 20th century that viruses were to blame for the unusual colours and effects. In Holland, where the craze caused great hardship when it crashed in 1637, they now grow the pure forms with no streaks or frills. Fungi can be very useful by breaking down dead organic matter to produce the humus which is essential for good soil structure - saprophytes. They can also live in a symbiotic relationship, eg. The widespread use of chemical control can damage the balance of these benificial fungi and this forms part of the theories of Organic management.
Lichens are a symbiotic conjunction of an algae and a fungus.
Extremely small clumps of genetic material surrounded by protective proteins only visible at the high magnification of an electron microscope, appearing as rods or spheres. A small piece of fast growing cells is taken from the shoot tip and grown in a special culture medium to produce an exact replica of the parent. There are no antibiotics for plants, so bacterial attacks, eg fireblight , are untreatable as well. Fungi can be killed with chemicals without damaging the host because their growth habit is different, ie. By observing good hygiene when propogating and growing your plants, you can prevent a lot of diseases from taking hold.