NEMATODES!!!!!!
March 10, 2008 7:48 PM Subscribe
Does anyone know an organic method for controlling plant-damaging nematodes in the soil? This is asked on behalf of a Tampa, Florida resident, wary of the very toxic nematicides offered by chemical pest control companies.
She has found formulae rich in chitin that help over a period of about six months, but is there anything else she can do?
She has found formulae rich in chitin that help over a period of about six months, but is there anything else she can do?
apologies for incoherent sentences. I haven't been proofreading much lately.
posted by LoriFLA at 8:41 PM on March 10, 2008
posted by LoriFLA at 8:41 PM on March 10, 2008
Planting marigolds as a cover/companion crop is often recommended for the control of nematodes. A cursory googling finds differences of opinion about its efficacy, and recommends specific cultivars... look into it.
posted by mumkin at 12:12 AM on March 11, 2008
posted by mumkin at 12:12 AM on March 11, 2008
Seconding the marigolds! Apparently, some varieties work far better than others, so check around online for details before buying seeds or plants.
posted by Asparagirl at 12:11 PM on March 11, 2008
posted by Asparagirl at 12:11 PM on March 11, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
If the area is small, you could dig out the soil and replace with new soil.
What your friend should look for is nematode resistant rootstocks. Nematode resistant rootstocks and cultivars are available in citrus, roses (fortuniana rootstock), gardenias, and many more. I have even found Jackson and Perkins roses with fortuniana rootstocks at Lowes, although fortuniana rootstocks are not usually sold at chains. You have to look for them, they usually only have a few, if any. The regular roses sold in chains are worthless because you're throwing money down the drain. They won't last in our nematode rich soil. If she is interested in roses that are tell her to look out for Nelsons' Roses that are sold in blue pots. All of Nelsons' roses are grafted onto fortuniana.
If you Google: "nematode resistant rootstocks Florida" you will get tons of results for citrus and other plants.
Another thing to do is plant native. Exotics and hard to grow plants are going to be more susceptible to nematode damage.
posted by LoriFLA at 8:19 PM on March 10, 2008