Re: Flowers in the veggies

Allan Day wrote:

>
> >Are you using tagetes sp. or calendula sp.? You must have heard of
> >companion planting, also edible flowers. Tagetes can ward off aphids,
>

I'm using Tagetes, Allan, yes I have heard of companion planting but I practice crop
rotation. My interest in marigolds is in their potential use as a beneficial cover crop
for ground laying fallow. Their use as a slug lure is an unexpected bonus.

The following is an excerpt taken from a seed supplier about using marigolds to control
Nematodes.

"It has long been observed, but never proven, that marigolds eliminate nematodes from
soil.
Nematodes are those microscopic, soil-dwelling eelworms that feed on and lay their eggs
in the roots of many garden plants.
They stunt plant growth and can cause diseases and other problems.
Now Dutch researchers, facing the imminent ban of the soil fumigant methyl bromide, have
found the best marigold varieties to
kill nematodes, and they have learned how they do it.
More than 800 marigold varieties from several species were tested.
It turns out that nematodes are attracted to the roots of marigolds, but when a nematode
attacks, the root releases ozone, and
the ozone kills the tiny pest.
This release occurs only when nematodes feed on living marigold roots, so there is no
residual effect from or benefit to planting
marigolds and then tilling them in, hoping the decaying plant tissue will harm the
nematodes.-
Also, planting just a few marigolds around plants will not be effective.
You must plant a cover crop of marigolds, free of weeds, to get the full benefit.
In the Dutch tests cover crops of marigolds reduced the numbers of the very common
root-lesion nematode (Protylenchus
penetrons) enough in one growing season that other crops susceptible to that pest could
be grown for 2 to 3 years without
suffering.

Different marigold species vary in their affects on nematodes.
The Dutch tests found that varieties of French marigold (Tangetes patula) has the
greatest nematodial effect.
The most effective varieties are ones that germinate quickly and grow vigorously, and
have deep root penetration.
The winner in their trial was the variety T. patula "Single Gold”.
It provided almost 99 percent control of nematodes.
Bulk seeds 5gms, approximately 1700 seeds. $6.00"

http://garden.manawatu.net.nz/kgflowl.htm#3020


Regards  Ian Gill   Westland  NZ
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