RE: on line sources/GA

Claire,
I have used the beneficial nematodes that parasitize root weevils with
success.  The root weevils are a big soil insect problem here.  They notch
the edges of the leaves of Rhodie, azaleas, heucheras, Hostas, Pulmonarias,
Viburnum davidii, etc. They are a huge problem for nursery crops too.  In
fact, if they are hungry enough, they will feed on most anything.
The first time I used them, nothing happened.  The secret to success I
discovered (after reading the label more carefully) is 1)soil temperature
(must be >55 F) and 2) keeping the treated soil moist (or the beneficial
nematodes dry out and die).  So the logical time to use them in our climate
is late summer/autumn when the soil is nice and warm and then to remember to
water the treated area daily.  That worked very well.  Of course as with any
beneficial (lady bugs, green lacewings, praying mantis, etc) when the host
pest has been devoured, the beneficials move on (in the case of the
nematode, they die), so the "fix" is not permanent.  But it sure did slow
them down in my shady flowerbeds.
The chemical products that are labeled for root weevils in home gardens are
very heavy duty and I can't bring myself to use them.  The nematodes are
available locally in the retail nurseries.

Marilyn Dube'
Natural Designs Nursery
Portland, Oregon


-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-perennials@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
Of ECPep@aol.com
Sent:	Thursday, January 02, 2003 9:26 AM
To:	perennials@hort.net
Subject:	Re: on line sources?


GA also sells pathogens. Not many gardeners will see success from
inoculating
soils with pathogens or nematodes or other unseen biologicals.  It needs
temperature monitoring, matching of pathogen to condition, etc.  If your
business is growing you would be more attentive and then might find these
products useful.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index