Help Diagnose Roots

fredx · August 24, 2013

Is this abnormal root condition caused by nematodes??

If not-- any ideas??

greene · August 24, 2013

Sure looks like it. Do you have a microscope?

fredx · August 24, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by greene

Sure looks like it. Do you have a microscope?

NO

But if I did????

b54red · August 24, 2013

That is nematode damage. You don't need a microscope to see that. You might want to try growing nematode resistant varieties or use a rootstock that is nematode resistant and graft to it.

Bill

ginger2778 · August 24, 2013

Its root knot nematodes. Container gardening will keep them away too.

fredx · August 25, 2013

thanks for all the input folks

Wonder how I got them-- never had any signs prior to this year , I did a few things different than just digging the hole to plant them in, like I added the bags of black cow , brought in some somewhat composted manure from a farm and the like.

Any one know of anything I can put in the ground to get rid of them before the spread to my other ornamentals and fruit trees??

Thanks again

jerryinfla · August 25, 2013

I've been fighting these vicious little buggers ever since I started gardening in our Florida sand and as far as I've been able to learn there is no quick fix for backyard gardeners. Some commercial growers use chemicals that are banned for home grower use (that I wouldn't want to use anyway) and soil sterilization methods using equipment beyond my budget. You can read about inexpensive methods of soil sterilization on the net and might want to try that. Personally I think it's best to develop healthy soil full of beneficial microorganisms in hopes that they will eat the bad guys. That along with planting crops that are non host for root knot nematodes (RKNs) are methods I'm trying but they are long term approaches to the problem.

beeman · August 25, 2013

Is it just possible there are beneficial nematodes to help your problem??
These days they're finding all sorts of new nematodes so it's just possible. Might be worth a search.
I did use beneficial 'todes when I started serious gardening. Useful for cinch bugs, codling moth, wire worms and any soil insect, gets them in the larval stage if applied at the right time of year.

August 25, 2013	#7
jerryinfla Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Central Florida Posts: 377	I've been fighting these vicious little buggers ever since I started gardening in our Florida sand and as far as I've been able to learn there is no quick fix for backyard gardeners. Some commercial growers use chemicals that are banned for home grower use (that I wouldn't want to use anyway) and soil sterilization methods using equipment beyond my budget. You can read about inexpensive methods of soil sterilization on the net and might want to try that. Personally I think it's best to develop healthy soil full of beneficial microorganisms in hopes that they will eat the bad guys. That along with planting crops that are non host for root knot nematodes (RKNs) are methods I'm trying but they are long term approaches to the problem. __________________ Jerry - You only get old if you're lucky.

August 24, 2013	#2
greene Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 13	Sure looks like it. Do you have a microscope?

August 24, 2013	#4
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	That is nematode damage. You don't need a microscope to see that. You might want to try growing nematode resistant varieties or use a rootstock that is nematode resistant and graft to it. Bill

August 24, 2013	#5
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	Its root knot nematodes. Container gardening will keep them away too.

August 25, 2013	#6
fredx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Florida & Georgia Posts: 20	thanks for all the input folks Wonder how I got them-- never had any signs prior to this year , I did a few things different than just digging the hole to plant them in, like I added the bags of black cow , brought in some somewhat composted manure from a farm and the like. Any one know of anything I can put in the ground to get rid of them before the spread to my other ornamentals and fruit trees?? Thanks again

August 25, 2013	#8
beeman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 692	Is it just possible there are beneficial nematodes to help your problem?? These days they're finding all sorts of new nematodes so it's just possible. Might be worth a search. I did use beneficial 'todes when I started serious gardening. Useful for cinch bugs, codling moth, wire worms and any soil insect, gets them in the larval stage if applied at the right time of year.