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South Hill, Virginia

Please check the last few entries in my growers diary for pics of these grows on the roots of my plant. What are they? Should I treat the soil for this? With what? Please, no FT's.

9/24/2002 10:46:33 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Root knot nematodes

Glenn Peters

9/24/2002 11:03:01 AM

South Hill, Virginia

Glenn,

Is that bad? Should I do something?

9/24/2002 11:25:29 AM

Herndon, VA

Ya, looks like root knot nematodes. Check out this link:

http://extension-horticulture.tamu.edu/cucurbit/rootseedlings/32.3.html

9/24/2002 11:49:19 AM

South Hill, Virginia

Thanks for the link Bruiser. They recommend crop rotation....don't these people now I live on a 1/4 acre? I got nowhere to rotate too! I'll check out the fumigation option. Maybe they just say it's expensive because they are thinking about doing it on 100 acre farm:)

Now......does someone have fumigation information?

9/24/2002 12:01:02 PM

Herndon, VA

I did a few searches on the web. It seems that the substance used for this fumigation is methyl bromide, which is (of course) ozone-depleting and is supposed to be discontinued by 2005. This may be one reason why it's expensive (Have you checked the price of FREON lately?)

Do tap roots throughout your patch exhibit this condition, or justthe ones at the stump? Maybe you could start your mound on the opposite end next year and try to avoid tilling or growing in the "bad lands".

9/24/2002 12:23:02 PM

Herndon, VA

Also read that Marigolds may chase them away. And on the enviornmentally friendly note, Gardens Alive sells "friendly" nematodes that are supposed to get rid of the bad ones. Note that I don't endorse them, just giving you some alternatives. Good Luck. --Bruiser

9/24/2002 12:50:59 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

http://www.echonet.org/tropicalag/knowledgebank/EDN_2002/EDN_75_1.HTM

9/24/2002 1:01:09 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

a plus to the friendly nematodes is that they kill Squash vine borers

9/24/2002 1:02:24 PM

Southern Illinois

hello south hill,i use a soil fumigant every year it is called telonec-17-telone 11, telone c-35,either one is for nematodes,symphylans,and soil borne diseases,your local coop dealer should have some in stock.

9/24/2002 2:09:31 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I don't know why they call it the Garden State I can never find any of these things! I going shoppin in Pennsy! Chuck

9/25/2002 7:58:23 AM