Re: hostas nematodes and etc.
- Subject: Re: [SG] hostas nematodes and etc.
- From: S* S* <s*@PIPELINE.COM>
- Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 13:50:03 -0400
> In a message dated 7/22/2004 7:48:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Kdye1@AOL.COM
> writes:
> If they have always been around in ferns, why have we just started
noticing
> symptoms, started researching and looking for controls in hostas within
the
> last five years or so? Wouldn't they have always been a problem? This
>
Nematodes have been bothering hostas in the US for at least 15 years that I
know of. I think a lot of people just didn't know the symptoms, plus,
there has been a huge surge in hosta purchases. Also, growers often won't
answer your questions, in case they might be implicated. Years ago, I wrote
to the Hosta Society's list with questions about a mystery illness affecting
my hostas. No one on the list, which included some of the country's most
prominent breeders and nurserymen, responded - not one. I found out this
year, from the people at Plant Delights, what the illness was ( a common
form of crown rot). I think the others were afraid they might have sold me
the 'bad' hosta, so opted for silence. In truth, my hostas were infected by
a sick yucca that I bought locally.
Nematodes have been the scourge of hostas in Japan for a very long time;
people there often grow their plants in containers, on shelves, to avoid
infestation. Recently, there has been a significant increase in imports
from Japan.
I had foliar nematodes in one plant about 10 years ago. I uprooted it and
set it in a mild bleach solution for a week, then replanted it after
spraying all my property, including lawn, with beneficial nematodes. I have
not had a problem since. My husband insists that I never had foliar
nematodes to begin with, and that is, admittedly, possible. So I am not
necessarily recommending the method!
SS
