Two “classical” theories, both originating in Elias Melin's laboratory in Uppsala, have tried to explain the regulation of ectomycorrhiza formation. The carbohydrate theory, formulated by E. Björkman in 1942, identifies root carbohydrate concentrations as regulatory, while these are in turn considered to be strongly influenced by plant mineral nutrition and light conditions. The hormone theory, expounded by V. Slankis in the 1960s, claims auxin of fungal origin to be the key regulator, influencing root carbohydrate status, while the fungus itself may, to some extent, be affected by mineral nutrition. Both theories have been subject to much discussion and have led to further work, without ever having been conclusively proven experimentally. Recent results in Uppsala and elsewhere have shed new light on several of the key issues. The development of research in this field since 1942 is critically reviewed in light of later data, and a unifying theory is sketched on the basis of E. Hacskaylo's proposal from 1969 to reconcile contradictory results.