Root Nematod

Question from Tef:

I came across your video would these seeds or any marigold seeds work in my perlite beds I do alot of cuttings and than root them how do I apply these seeds to them and how often should I use the seeds and when 1 a year or how can you please help me on this problem I am having please advise me

Answer from Pat:

Perlite is made of volcanic rock that is mined from the ground. In most cases it drains too rapidly for planting cuttings. Perlite is used to lighten soils by adding air to them and thus is often mixed into potting soils as one ingredient. It is highly unlikely that root knot nematodes will invade perlite. Some professionals may be able to root cuttings in straight perlite but if you are having problems with this stop trying and do something far easier. Use potting soil as a rooting medium.

Soft wood cuttings taken from the tips of plants root very well in March in Southern California when planted in small plots or flats filled with a good potting soil. This is the best way for gardeners. Don’t use perlite. Water well and then cover the containers with plastic and keep in bring light but out of hot sun. Potting soil works well and avoids the transplant shock that can happen when potting on a rooted cutting into a larger container. You can speed the process by dipping the cutting into a rooting compound prior to planting it into the pot or flat. Once cuttings are rooted fertilize regularly with diluted fish emulsion and keep in bright light.

Flats and pots of cuttings in which plants are being rooted must be placed on a bench above the ground. Never place them on the ground. If containers are not touching the ground they will never get nematodes.

When nematodes invade a raised bed, such as a bed used for raising vegetables, you can rid the bed of nematodes by planting French marigolds (Tagetes patula) solidly in the bed as a catch crop. Burpees has a type of marigold called Nema-Gone. Grow them for a full season as a catch crop and then pull them out including all the roots. This will rid the ground of nematodes for a season. You can also mix them into plantings. http://www.csmonitor.com/1980/0328/032852.html

Another way to rid the ground of nematodes is to apply shrimp shell meal. Shrimp shell meal contains chitin and chitinase which is an enzyme that attacks the outer exoskeleton of insects which is made of chitin. It destroys nematodes but it is alkaline so be sure to keep soil leached or well watered and don’t use too much. Earthworm castings also can be a help. Beneficial nematodes kill root knot nematodes. So applying beneficial nematodes also works.