Floridian nematodes....any ideas?

23 Oct '07 2:43 am

As many of you know I have relocated to the Florida coast. I have since being here have been told about nematodes and the ravages they do to roses planted here. Does anyone have any ideas on how to go about planting in a nematode infested soil? I love my HT's and dont want to have to get roses that Im soso about instead of growing what I want.
Any imput would be helpful, I am researching but many of you have been gardening alot longer than I and would be glad of the advice.

23 Oct '07 11:38 pm

I know I'm not exactly a font of all knowledge, particularly when it comes to gardening, but I've only heard good things about nematodes. I suppose there must be lots of different kinds of them, but they're all the rage over here for getting rid of slugs and snails (particularly after our wet summer - they're all over the place. Yeugh!) Anyway, I'm not exactly being much help here, I was just surprised to hear that they're not so good after all - I'd be interested to find out more too.

24 Oct '07 1:28 am

I think these may be a different kind of namatode than you are familiar with Bambi. These destructive nematodes attach the roots of plants causing knots to form on the roots and stunting the growth and even the eventual death of plants. Florida has a particularly difficult problem with them because their soil never freezes in winter. Once a garden plot is infested it is usually best to abandon the site for sometimes several years to allow the nematode population to die out naturally. There are some organic recommendations for ridding soil of nematodes, but I unfortunately can't remember any of them offhand. I do recall that adding lots of organic matter to the soil helps, but in Florida this is a sometimes daunting task. The extreme heat burns up the amendments almost as fast as they are added. I will try to do some research through my books on organic gardening to see if there is anything that would help Cajunangie. I might also suggest doing an internet search on the problem. I'll bet there are some websites out there that are specifically targeted to problems faced by Floridians.

24 Oct '07 2:25 am

I thought there must be something wrong in my thinking! Wow, they sound rather nasty - maybe a dose of liquid nitrogen would help? Very Happy

Sorry, not v helpful I know! Laughing

25 Oct '07 3:14 am

Well, Bambi, your suggestion is not as far-fetched as you imagine. My Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening does suggest that heavily fertilizing plants can temporarily slow down nematodes because it encourages top growth and not roots. As stated however, this only slows them down and is not particularly good for the plants in the long run. Their recommendation is as I remembered - heavy additions of organic matter to the soil. This in turn encourages nematode trapping fungi to develop in the soil. These fungi then begin to trap and devour the nematodes, even attacking the larval forms found in those root knots I mentioned earlier. The other suggestion is strict crop rotations using plants that are not susceptible to nematodes to cause nematode populations to die out, but with roses this is not an option. Keeping large amounts of organic matter and farm animal wastes in the soil is difficult in Florida because of the intense heat in the summer months which burns up organic matter; however, if you can find a good source for free materials, Cajunangie, maybe this would work for you. I don't think there are any chemical deterrents for nematodes on the market; however, I have never looked for them either.

25 Oct '07 3:14 am

Well, Bambi, your suggestion is not as far-fetched as you imagine. My Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening does suggest that heavily fertilizing plants can temporarily slow down nematodes because it encourages top growth and not roots. As stated however, this only slows them down and is not particularly good for the plants in the long run. Their recommendation is as I remembered - heavy additions of organic matter to the soil. This in turn encourages nematode trapping fungi to develop in the soil. These fungi then begin to trap and devour the nematodes, even attacking the larval forms found in those root knots I mentioned earlier. The other suggestion is strict crop rotations using plants that are not susceptible to nematodes to cause nematode populations to die out, but with roses this is not an option. Keeping large amounts of organic matter and farm animal wastes in the soil is difficult in Florida because of the intense heat in the summer months which burns up organic matter; however, if you can find a good source for free materials, Cajunangie, maybe this would work for you. I don't think there are any chemical deterrents for nematodes on the market; however, I have never looked for them either.

26 Oct '07 6:35 pm

Okaaayyy.

I had to go and research what exactly a nematode was. I had always loosely equated it with 'soil organisms'. Now the discussion makes more sense. But I must admit, cajunangi, that your 'problem' sounds much too vague in definition at this stage. It is like saying insects are a problem and how does one wipe them out - ladybugs, bees and all! Rather I think you need to research particular problems roses have in Florida, and how to treat them. Your local nurseries will be able to comment. They will also be able to recommend the best roses for your particular climate.

I know roses are OK with heat, but less good with heat plus humidity, and that they ideally like a clearly defined (=cold) season of rest. But unless you have some really weird underground creatures I don't think that the problems with growing roses in Florida is the nematodes as such. It is rather that you ar growing them in a climate where they are not happy, and therefore they are more easily affected by stress and disease. IF the problem is specifically soil born diseases, what about growing them in pots?

29 Oct '07 3:48 pm

but I'm familiar with them as pests from growing strawberries. Of course it is easy to see how nematodes can ruin a strawberry which isn't exactly impervious to attack. These Floridian nematodes must be a lot tougher to attack roses. Do they attack the roots or the buds? Surely it is the buds but I guess that is bad enough if it means you don't get any flowers.

2 Mar '08 7:27 am

Well I know that adding amendments to the soil is difficult, I had to do it in Louisiana and its HOTTER there than here. The only thing is there is a cold period in Louisiana and not generally so here in Florida. We did get down in the 40's a few times this year but I dont think that would classify as "rest" as it was only for a short bit. I do know that they have plenty of rose growers here and Im going to just have to do some trial and error and ferret out any info I can on the complex issue of "nematode" battle..lol I hopefully will have some garden shots soon here is some pix of the house as it is now .. with its BARE flower beds..."shame on me!"

kids at the beach

the house

2 Mar '08 9:09 am

Why dont you buy only roses that are budded on special nematode resistant roots
Bill

Floridian nematodes....any ideas?

Floridian nematodes....any ideas?

Hmm, strange!

Namatodes

Ah, that explains it!

Floridian Nematodes

Floridian Nematodes

Nematodes

I don't have a solutioin

you guys are the best!

Roses