digitS'
Garden Master
I think problems often begin with nematodes.
They are almost microscopic, I read that they are 1mm long. I guess, they are either gone or immobile by harvest and storage. I can't see them! The problem shows up in their near-microscopic holes in the tubers and the decay that begins there.
Here's how you may have noticed them: you run your peeler over the spud and there are tiny lines or just dots. Take 1 or 2 more strokes with the peeler and they are gone. Damage is sometimes just considered cosmetic.
There are a number of nematode species - some are beneficial! I used to think that rocky soil was especially inviting to high population numbers but it is high soil organic levels that apparently keeps them especially happy. So ... build up the organic material level in your garden soil, make a happy home for more nematodes
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Are they only after the spuds? "Columbia root knot nematode is found in sandy and organic soils, and infests more than 3,000 different plants." So says the San Francisco Chronicle. I understand that even trees and shrubs are hosts. How possibly can we keep them out?!
There are nematode resistant varieties of tomatoes and some other things. UCDavis says that no such thing exists in the potato world. Potatogarden.com claims "Reba is resistant to the golden nematode." I'm afraid those aren't the ones around here but, who knows! I can't see 'em!
The University of Florida did some rotation with marigolds. UCDavis talks about more conventional crop rotation and soil fumigation. I don't think any of these would be a very good choice - not the way they are described. If you come across the words "nematode resistant" describing any potato variety, let me know!
Steve
They are almost microscopic, I read that they are 1mm long. I guess, they are either gone or immobile by harvest and storage. I can't see them! The problem shows up in their near-microscopic holes in the tubers and the decay that begins there.
Here's how you may have noticed them: you run your peeler over the spud and there are tiny lines or just dots. Take 1 or 2 more strokes with the peeler and they are gone. Damage is sometimes just considered cosmetic.
There are a number of nematode species - some are beneficial! I used to think that rocky soil was especially inviting to high population numbers but it is high soil organic levels that apparently keeps them especially happy. So ... build up the organic material level in your garden soil, make a happy home for more nematodes
.Are they only after the spuds? "Columbia root knot nematode is found in sandy and organic soils, and infests more than 3,000 different plants." So says the San Francisco Chronicle. I understand that even trees and shrubs are hosts. How possibly can we keep them out?!
There are nematode resistant varieties of tomatoes and some other things. UCDavis says that no such thing exists in the potato world. Potatogarden.com claims "Reba is resistant to the golden nematode." I'm afraid those aren't the ones around here but, who knows! I can't see 'em!
The University of Florida did some rotation with marigolds. UCDavis talks about more conventional crop rotation and soil fumigation. I don't think any of these would be a very good choice - not the way they are described. If you come across the words "nematode resistant" describing any potato variety, let me know!
Steve
