Please give me the latest information regarding the control and elimination of RKN.

I will be growing a containerized fig tree in Palm City, Florida area.  I will either buy the fig tree locally, or, mail-order a fig tree. 

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Consider two scenarios:

A)  tree is already infected, and RKN will have to be eliminated/killed... (If possible, I will not buy an infected tree).

B)  root system of tree shows no symptoms of having a RKN infection, and after containerizing the tree, I want to prevent infection of RKN.   

In either case, the tree will be planted into a 25 gallon container,  using a fresh batch of a quick-draining mix.

So....I want to know how to cure RKN if the tree already is infected.  I have searched this forum and have read postings describing the submersion treatment of the roots into 120 degree F water-bath for 20-25 minutes. Is this treatment effective?  Are there any organic soil drenches, e.g. Neem Oil solutions, Marigold decoctions, etc, that are effective?  There is an organic drench called: "NEMASTOP"...has anyone used this product?  What about the more powerful, systemic insecticides, like BONIDE-SYSTEMIC GRANULES? 

My wish is to purchase, and begin growing a RKN-free fig tree, in a container.  However, I am not sure I will be able to find a "clean" tree for sale in the local nurseries in the Stuart/Palm City area.  Will locally purchased trees come with any guarantees?  I am asking because I have never purchased any nursery stock in Florida.

This containerized fig tree will be grown above ground.  The container will be more or less, isolated, and will rest on a "pad" made from cement blocks, so that RKN cannot migrate into the container's drainage holes from the surrounding, very sandy, local soil.  (I want to play it safe, so I am just assuming the surrounding soils are infected, but I really don't know for sure).

Comments and suggestions....please.   Floridian fig-growers....Help!

Thanks
Frank

Myothyon kills big spectrum of insects. Doesn't hurt fig tree at all of veggies. Wait a week before eating veggies. Works grate

Hello Frank,

I'm trying neem cake and hydrogen peroxide right now. Will update you on how it goes.

In the winter I will try the hot water treatment for my small plants. James gave some detailed instructions in a recent thread. I suspect this will be the most effective.

I also plan on trying chitins but they are not readily available over here.  Will have to prepare them myself. The nematodes are made from the same material, so if you can get the chitins to break down, the same bacteria will attack the nematodes. Sounds like its worth a go.

Worst case is to air layer it carefully and discard the contaminated rootball and thoroughly sterilize the container.

Nematicides are not readily available here so I've not tried them.  I recently saw notification of a new onecalled Nimitz but don't know if it will be suitable or available for home use:
http://www.adama.com/australia/en/Images/Nimitz%20FAQ%20pre-registration%20iBook_tcm46-23770.pdf

I've tried molasses and mustard powder in the past with no significant effect.

Nematodes are a nightmare and seriously impact the health of the plants especially in containers. If you discover any remedy that really works then be sure to let me know!

Hi Bronxfigs,
I would expect a nursery to sell problem free trees, but if you see one that looks sick ... Don't insist on taking that one.
I would choose an healthy looking tree to start with. Then if paranoid, I would make it grow more with more fertilizer , and airlayer the top.
The airlayer would be installed in a trouble free (not infected and nematode free) potting mix and isolated from surrounding dirt.
I would then keep all the trees and check if the source tree starts to decline as nematodes might have been present and might develop .
If the source stays healthy, keep her, if not toss her with pot and all.
Tomatoes plant are said to help destroy nematodes because the plants attract nematodes and you would remove the plant and throw away the nematodes present in the roots .

Thanks for the interest, and for the suggestions. 

My choices for nematode control, if needed, so far seem to be either the hot-water soak, or, using a commercially available Nematicide.  I am looking into an organic product called "NEMASTOP".

I would like to think that the nurseries and garden centers down in Florida would sell disease-free, uninfected trees....but who knows?

I may just bring down a clean, FMV/nematode-free, Bronx, NYC fig tree, and start from scratch.  Since I will plant the tree into a large container using bagged, fresh mix, I guess the fig tree will stay uncontaminated...hopefully.



Frank

frank take a look at this..................

Thanks, Dave....good information.  Also interesting to check out all the other videos at Hawkins Corner Nursery.


Frank

Hawkins is about 5 miles from my house.  He is knowledgeable but his place looks nothing like the video.  It is all weedy and looks half abandoned.   I wouldn't buy anything from him.  But that is just me.   As far as figs being popular in Florida, I can tell you that you won't find hardly anything other than our fig buddys here on the forum.       the ordinary celeste brown turkey and occasionally a Mission will be in the stores.   Riding around you don't see fig trees in the yard just citrus.  I quit wasting my time and gas and patronize the people on the forum.   

Container trees you have little worry.  RKN lives in and likes sandy soils, and do not like organic soils.  If you use a typical organic potting mix (e.g. 5-1-1) you will not have any issues.  

If you are buying the tree from a nursery I wouldn't worry, it should be clean.  If its a local nursery you could always ask to check the roots before you buy it.  

Do not use any soil from your yard in your pots.  

I usually wear a biological insecticide such as red bacteria to prevent me from developing fig plant nematode and it is very effective.

Place infected potted plant next to a pile of fire ants. The ants
Should inhabit the pot and eat the rkn and all roots infected .
YouTube Ray Givens , if I remember correctly. On the garden show in
Georgia.

Thanks for all the interesting responses.  I feel encouraged enough to try growing a containerized fig tree when I get down to Florida. 

I just recently spent six weeks in Palm City, and when I looked around, I didn't see one fig tree growing in any of the yards.  I thought...."that's strange"...then, I asked a nursery owner why.  He said..."Nematodes and rust"....  These two problems ruin most fig trees.  In addition, I saw plenty of ratty looking "Turkey" figs in the few nurseries that I visited.  Not a good sign.

I will be staying with friends, for a few months.  I want to give them a fig tree.  Nothing grows in my friend's yard, and the "soil" is nothing but beach sand.  Weeds, grow, palm trees, and "Brazilian Pepper" trees grow....but little else.  So....I will plant a fig tree, in a large container, and see what happens.  Now I know, that Nematodes will not be a problem if the fig tree gets the containerized treatment.  Rusts/Mildews....who knows?

Some of your suggestions are very interesting....the fire ant remedy is really novel.  Who knew?  I'm from The Bronx.  I know where to buy the best Mozzarella....but, fire ants...I know nothing.

I'll let you know about my Floridian, figgy endeavors, and the subsequent results, in the future.


Frank

Just be sure not to get bitten by fire ants.  They are voracious and will bite you many times. There bite stings like no tomorrow and the only thing I have found that helps is ammonia sprayed on the bite.  If you itch and scratch the bite it will infect and what a mess.  They also multiply like crazy.   I would rather try something else than risk being bitten.  they will see you before you see them.    Kill them.  Not worth the chance of getting bitten.

Hey Frank.

You may have already seen these two threads.

Byron did some pretty extensive research on RKN treatment awhile back:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/rkn-nematode-resistant-figs-other-rkn-information-4639896?pid=39459229#post39459229

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/nematode-cure-for-container-grown-figs-hot-water-technique-5769399?pid=1274041351#post1274041351

May be nothing new to you but no harm in posting anyway.

RKN is primarily an eastern U.S. problem with pest species that thrive in the local environment - and especially in the absence of sulphates and electrolytic minerals. It is most prevalent among "organic" gardeners who do not supply necessary minerals to (a) thwart the propagation of nematodes and (b) supply plants with necessary defenses.

Here in the western U.S., horticulturists and county plant pathologists are sometimes faced with reports and samples of RKN, only to determine that (a) RKN were not involved, and (b) the growing medium was so prosperous for soil organisms (i.e., compost without igneous and ionic acidifying minerals) that the biology in the soil was attacking plant roots for lack of other food sources.

It is a classic error to view pictures of symptoms from one region and believe they correspond to symptoms in your region. It is a simple matter to check with your county plant pathologist before jumping to conclusions.

Would stunted growth, small leaves and galls on the roots would be enough to be pretty sure RKN are present?

Regarding Nemastop, I think it is a product derived from sesame oil which is listed as an alternative natural nematicide.

I've got RKN in my container plants and am having difficulty getting rid of them despite being careful. I've even airlayered the tree and they returned. So not even growing in containers keeps you completely safe.

One thing I wonder is how long does it take before the root galls become visible?  I mean, if you were checking the plants in the nursery before you bought them, or if you bought one and quarantined it, how long would you have to wait to be sure it was clean?

I try all kind chemicals in the past ..But fire aunts work the best..