Re: hostas nematodes and etc.

Greetings from flatland Champaign, IL U.S.A. .  .   .

Source for beneficial nematodes that are predacious on foliar nematodes?

Gregory R. Smith
Certified Arborist #IL0020
for Arborsmith - Craftsmen in the care of trees
217-356-8677
HZ 5


-----Original Message-----
From: PRIMROSES [s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU] On Behalf Of
Sheila Smith
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 12:50 PM
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
Subject: Re: [SG] hostas nematodes and etc.

> 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
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