Re: Root Knot Nematodes in my nightshade box!!!

dstack 7/31/2016, 8:25 am

As far as the MM medium, although all the experts will tell you that RKNs don't like organic material, it certainly doesn't stop them. Or at least the strain of those that I have don't seem to mind it. Still, all the experts are consistent about it, so I assume a variety of compost, as Mel recommends must help. I have separate garden tools for each bed. Always assume one bed is contaminated, and you don't want to spread it to another. I bake my tools in the sun, and if I keep hand sanitizer in the garden, and sometimes a bucket of soapy vinegar water, especially if I'm working in what I know to be infected soil. I use it to sanitize anything that may have become contaminated.

**sanderson** 7/31/2016, 12:46 pm

Dstack, It's not always that we find a consistent solution. Your solarization program during the Florida "summer" seems to be a success. Congrats.

dstack 7/31/2016, 4:29 pm

sanderson wrote:Dstack, It's not always that we find a consistent solution. Your solarization program during the Florida "summer" seems to be a success. Congrats.

Nothing beats experience. Very Happy

BTW, here's what the garden looks like now:

Root Knot Nematodes in my nightshade box!!! - Page 3 13641288_10208595618879511_6497234355320356435_o

You'll notice the new wood. Yes after almost 3 years the other wood was too rotten. I may paint the outside and top with a non-toxic paint. I know that won't keep the inside from rotting any slower, but it'll look nice longer.

**sanderson** 7/31/2016, 6:42 pm

Such a nice neat garden! Very Happy

You could also seal the outside with an oil base for a cedar or redwood look.

dstack 8/3/2016, 12:18 pm

Shearer, in addition, you may want to try something I've been wanting to try for a while...

Root Knot Nematodes in my nightshade box!!! - Page 3 Crabsh10

Those crab/lobster shells and shrimp tails produce a bacteria that is lethal to nematodes. I found a source to buy the powdered fertilizer, but it would be even better to get it free and into our compost and garden beds. I sure wish we know someone who owns a seafood restaurant here in Fort Lauderdale!

Anyway, you can buy the power online from Appalatian Organics... https://aporganics.com/neptune-s-harvest-crab-shell-fertilizer-orange-label-4-lb.html?redirect_log_mongo_id=57a1dc47a6bb38000b000123&redirect_mongo_id=564b29ff31623101ef6a0200&sb

**sanderson** 8/3/2016, 7:38 pm

How I wish I had those. . .

TCgardening 8/4/2016, 10:33 pm

Dstack,
Is the Rustic Inn still open? It's been many years since I was there, I think they were on the Dania Cut-off canal/Griffin Road area. Their main menu was blue crab. I would bet they would be happy to unload some crab shells on you. If I buried crab shells my dogs would have the garden dug up in no time...
Craig

dstack 8/5/2016, 7:40 am

TCgardening wrote:Dstack,
Is the Rustic Inn still open? It's been many years since I was there, I think they were on the Dania Cut-off canal/Griffin Road area. Their main menu was blue crab. I would bet they would be happy to unload some crab shells on you. If I buried crab shells my dogs would have the garden dug up in no time...
Craig

I hardly ever get down to Dania, but you bring up an important point. I don't have dogs, but we do get racoons that would dig that up, and possibly even my garden cats. That gives me a good reason to grinding to a powder first, or buy it that way.

Thanks for that!

TCgardening 8/5/2016, 8:36 pm

Hmm, handn't thought about the coons, they are not much a a problem here.
Interested to see how the solarization went. Nematode are bad here also. I was going to try it this summer but other demands took control of my time.
Craig

dstack 8/6/2016, 8:35 am

TCgardening wrote:Hmm, handn't thought about the coons, they are not much a a problem here.
Interested to see how the solarization went. Nematode are bad here also. I was going to try it this summer but other demands took control of my time.
Craig

You might want to consider Crab Meal (Down To Earth), or Marine Cuisine (Fox Farm), which has crab meal, along with nutrient rich elements with high nitrogen. I just ordered some for myself at a local hydroponics store that I like to support.

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