RE: Nemacur
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: RE: Nemacur
- From: "* M* <I*@msn.com>
- Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 15:59:15 -0700 (MST)
Amen, Merle and Linda! I'm a big user of compost rather than chemical
fertilizers, and I have never had what sounds like nematodes. I also believe
lots of composted (!) organic matter helps prevent many of the rot diseases,
too. Let's hear it for biodiversity, even in our soil microbiology.
Barb, the only really organic gardener in Santa Fe Iris Society, and I have
rabbit manure by the cubic yard, if anybody's ever in the area...
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From: iris-l@rt66.com on behalf of Merle and Linda Roberts
Sent: Friday, February 07, 1997 9:02 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: Nemacur
> From: Lbaumunk@aol.com
> To: Multiple recipients of list <iris-l@rt66.com>
> Subject: Nemacur
> Date: Thursday, February 06, 1997 8:35 AM
>
> I was very interested in Terry Aitken's article on nematodes in the
Bulletin.
> Have any of you used Nemacur? It sounds a little scary to me. I wonder
> exactly what is meant by a "restricted" pesticide. Colorado State U.
doesn't
> test for nematodes, and although nematodes sounds like a good explanation
for
> the kind of decline in vigor we see in long-used iris beds, I hate to
treat
> for a condition I am not sure exists in my garden. Any ideas?
>
> -Lowell Baumunk
> Douglas County, Colorado
Before we all go out and buy a bag of chemical nematicide, we need to take
a good look at the soil that is the foundation for the health of the plant.
Terry's is right on about the lack of organic material in the soil. We
need to maintain high soil organic matter (old manure, compost, or alfalfa
pellets) to improve the ability of the plant to withstand modest damage
from nematodes. When we start adding manure (green or animal), we increase
the food supply to microorganisms. This will make the soil come alive with
many natural predators of nematodes (fungi, mites and predatory nematodes).
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Merle and Linda Roberts
Grand Coulee Dam, Washington
irisbuff@televar.com
