Re: Gardening thoughts from Vermont

Kaye,

From what I've read foliar nematodes can live in the soil for years feeding on soil fungi. Plants can also be host to foliar nematodes and show no outward signs. With low populations of foliar nematodes many plants do not show symptoms. Longer growing seasons give time for more generations of foliar nematodes and the higher numbers then give visible symptoms. I've heard it said the in the northern USA many hostas may have foliar nematodes but the season is short and the numbers don't get high enough to show as leaf damage. When the hostas are sold and shipped south where the season is longer they then show up in these hostas. Zerotol has shown some control and is fairly non toxic. Nemacur is the best but is very strong and about the only way to get rid of them. Even then it takes repeated treatments. There are also hot water treatments on dormant crowns dug out of the ground and dipped.

Dan
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kdye1@AOL.COM 
  To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU 
  Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 8:10 AM
  Subject: Re: [SG] Gardening thoughts from Vermont


  Narda,
  I second that, be on the lookout for them.  I have and continue to have them
  and have begun tossing anything that looks suspicious.  What kind of
  strategies are you using?  I sent in some leaves and had them checked.  Some looked
  like nematodes and were not, some were.  I was told that since they are foliar
  nematodes that all I had to do was cut the leaves off at the base and dispose of
  them.  This would do it.  I have not found it to be that simple.  Now when I
  see damage, I dispose of the plant.  I don't feel any plant is worth it and I
  feel the only way to get rid of them is to do this.  I am experimenting with
  planting nothing in the place I had the hostas for the rest of the year and
  then replanting with a hosta the next year.  This is only where I have an edging
  of hostas and to plant something different would look silly.  So far I think
  in time it will work.  The problem is that some adjoining plants in the edge
  may have contracted nem. but are not showing symptoms until the following year.
  However, I think if I bite the bullet and keep doing this, in time they will
  be eliminated.  What are the other thoughts on this.  I won't use any
  pesticides, sounds like the only ones that will kill them are extremely toxic.
  Kay Dye, Edelstein, IL zone 5


  In a message dated 7/15/2004 7:34:27 AM Eastern Standard Time, NardaA@AOL.COM
  writes:
  Trying to fill in a bed where nematodes have been in hostas and needing
  something
  to go there that will not be as susceptible to nematode infection.

  BTW, has anyone spotted foliar nematodes in their hostas.  This is the time
  of year that they raise their ugly heads, so be watchful!
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