Episodes
Sunday Jul 03, 2022
What are Root Knot Nematodes on Real World Gardener
Sunday Jul 03, 2022
Sunday Jul 03, 2022
PLANT DOCTOR
Nematodes part 1: the backstory
Did you know that there are 1,000,000 species of nematodes that have been identified?
Nematodes live in our environment and although microscopic, unsurprisingly, are related to earthworms
If nematodes are on your plants the symptoms range from perhaps they’re just stunted and don’t seem to grow much, r like the coffee tree pictured, continually looks like it's wilting despite the watering it receives. Another symptom is yellowing of foliage.
- The majority of nematodes aren't plant or crop destructors.
However, the few that attack the cell walls of plants can cause serious damage from which the plant/crop usually doesn't recover.
- Then there's the problem of identifying what's going on with plants that are affected by nematodes.
- Have you ever had plants that seem to wilt despite you watering them religiously?
What they look like
Nematodes are a round worm but because they are unable to be seen by the naked eye, I would describe them as thread like with a large head and mouth.
Arm yourself with a magnifying glass and have a look at the roots of plants that you suspect have been attacked by nematodes. You should be able to see them then.
Coffee tree nematode |
If nematodes are on your plants the symptoms range from perhaps they’re just stunted and don’t seem to grow much, r like the coffee tree pictured, continually looks like it's wilting despite the watering it receives. Another symptom is yellowing of foliage.
Once the plant has been dug up, nodules on roots will be evident. However, other factors create nodules on roots as in nitrogen fixing plants such as plants in the Fabaceae family.
What could be the problem? Wilting symptoms can be attributed to a range of other factors.
So let’s find out by listening to the podcast
Your host of Real World Gardener, Marianne is talking with Steve McGrane, agriculturist and horticulturist.
Next week we tackle the many, many ways you have to control the bad nematode, namely root knot nematodes.
If you have any questions you can email us Realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.
So let’s find out by listening to the podcast
Your host of Real World Gardener, Marianne is talking with Steve McGrane, agriculturist and horticulturist.
Next week we tackle the many, many ways you have to control the bad nematode, namely root knot nematodes.
If you have any questions you can email us Realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.
Saturday Sep 18, 2021
Control of Fungus Gnats in Plant Doctor
Saturday Sep 18, 2021
Saturday Sep 18, 2021
PLANT DOCTOR
FUNGUS GNATS
These tiny flying things can swarm around your indoor plants but other than annoyance, are they killing your plants?
Those tiny little flies that hang around your fruit bowl or indoor plants aren’t always that same thing.
Sometimes they’re confused with fruit flies, or even ordinary house flies, but none of those two are correct. Inevitably they’re up to no good but how to tell them apart?
- There are fungus gnats and fermentation flies.
- they are attracted to different things.
- Fermentation or vinegar flies tend to hang around the fruit bowl, especially if you've got overripe fruit because vinegar flies are attracted to sugars.
- Fungus gnats are smaller, flitting around erratically: the adults of which are attracted to moisture.
- the adults are doing much if anything to your plants other than laying lots of eggs, although there is evidence that they can transmit plant diseases.
- The larvae can be the problem because the feed on the roots of your plants.
Fungus gnats -magnified heaps. |
- Remember: Vinegar or fermentation flies are attracted to sugary treats, such as over-ripe fruits, whereas fungus gnats are attracted to moisture such as overly wet potting medium.
- Greenhouses can also have an outbreak of fungus gnats.
Where do they come from?
Came with the plants you bought or from potting mix.
How to stop them?
- Keep your soil medium a bit on the dry side.
- Drench the potting mix with neem oil which will control the juvenile stages.
- Make a sticky trap using vaseline to trap the adults.
- Use a type of mulch the prevents the adult fungus gnats burrowing into the soil to lay the eggs.
- Worst case, repot with fresh potting mix.
- Greenhouse control can be with predatory insects.
Let’s find out more by listening to the podcast.
I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoorganicgarden.com.auIf you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675
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