Poor Producing and Sad Looking Tree: RKN infected roots

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armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410308379	Reply with quote #1

Checked 8 of my trees most of them were Panache, and yup, the roots were damaged with RKN (root knot nematode)....google says they are microscopic worms that get into the roots. The trees are in 15 gall pots.....so I decided to try to air-layer them to save them. __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1410308527	Reply with quote #2

Wow! I feel sorry for you. Can you post a close up photo of the knots and roots? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,117

Posted 1410309306	Reply with quote #3

There are different RKN were these in the soil before you planted the figs? Hope the RKN are not a threat to you other plants. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410310972	Reply with quote #4

Will post photos in a little bit, got to jump into the shower...LOL I used the soil from my Mom's house, she has lots of citrus trees, and I read, not sure that they come from the citrus trees. Probably affects the tree a little bit, but with figs, its a killer. Will be back in a few minutes, don't change the channel...LOL __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410311200	Reply with quote #5

Found on the forum a photo that shows the RKN........http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6415064 __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

GregMartin

Registered:1370378358
Posts: 550

Posted 1410312068	Reply with quote #6

Armando...that was a fast shower!!! __________________ zone 5 Maine Seeking: Saint Martin, Naples White, Black Tuscan, Bécane, French Alps, Abruzzi, Tenica, Wild Mountain Figs from the coldest corners (Iranian, Turkish or other...would love seeds too)

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410312516	Reply with quote #7

Trying to conserve water....LOL I take longer showers on Holidays....LOL __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1410314251	Reply with quote #8

RKN is prevalent in sandy soils. It doesn't like high organic content soils. Armando you should destroy the soil, or return to where it came. __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410314477	Reply with quote #9

I am putting the soil in a black plastic bag and letting the hot temps kill any left over RKN...... I can microwave it to or just throw it away, what does everyone think. __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1410325710	Reply with quote #10

Make sure your layers are high enough to not get splashed when you are watering the container. Once you remove the layers, throw the rest away. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410326359	Reply with quote #11

Thanks James, Will do a couple of air-layers per tree. Want to up the odds...LOL I read on the internet (don't trust everything on the internet....LOL) that heating up the soil above 120 degrees will kill the RKN. __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1410328804	Reply with quote #12

Um, Bon Jour Armando. If it is on the internet, it must be true. It might have been some of my postings you are referring to. I posted some results of experiments I did with heat treating RKN+ trees. I think it was long enough ago that they've fallen off the Gardenweb radar. You can kill the nematodes in the soil with heat. The biggest problem I see with remedying RKN is containment. RKN's normal movement is measured in a few inches (if that) each year. There primary mode of travel is rain, wind and human contact (shoes, clothes, tools, etc.) If you try to dump the soil from your containers into a bag, you run the risk of spreading RKN throughout your property. Unless the growing mix is super valuable, I'm not sure I'd take the chance. I had a burn area in a ditch on the far side of the property where I would remove growing mixes from containers. The best remedy is prevention. BTW. I am not really a French model. I just play one on the internet. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410361057	Reply with quote #13

Thank you James, I brought this subject up, for advice and hoped it would help out the newbies. (so it was your postings I was reading on the web...LOL) __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

Moonlight

Registered:1332008556
Posts: 34

Posted 1410366871	Reply with quote #14

Good subject to reed about thanks guys. I am glad RKN it is not in my garden.

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1410367620	Reply with quote #15

Amando I had the same problem with 3 of my trees 2 years ago I air layered them threw the bottoms away "problem solved" __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1410367733	Reply with quote #16

My property is "infested" with wild mustard. Every year it sprouts up and makes thick, weedy brush throughout my orchard. I decided to research wild mustard to see if it has any benefits. It turns out that it makes deep tap roots that draw minerals from down deep. It also fixes some nitrogen in the soil. Finally, it helps to control RKN!!! My wife hates it and thinks it looks messy, but I beg her to let them live as long as possible before she destroys them with the weed whacker. Maybe, just as a precaution, spread some wild mustard seeds around? __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1410370021	Reply with quote #17

RKN solution? https://www.bayercropscience.us/products/seed-treatments/poncho-votivo/nematodes/?WT.mc_id=y7600103e47&WT.srch=1&WT.tsrc=ppc

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1410370191	Reply with quote #18

Sounds to me that if you grow in high organic media there won't be a problem. Amend soil with peat manure etc... see Soil Amendments and Irrigation section http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7489.html#MANAGEMENT

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1410392770	Reply with quote #19

If you get the right nematodes they will kill the bad ones and help the soil, they also kill fungus gnat larva... __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1410395634	Reply with quote #20

Thanks for the info Rich......Paul, will look into mustard seeds.......Thanks Gloria, Moonlight and Dave.....It seems easier to throw away the soil, the other one that has a great mix, I will probably microwave for 2 minutes (twice...LOL) and then place in a black plastic bag and let the sun heat it up more. __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

MGorski

Registered:1399823521
Posts: 370

Posted 1410398991	Reply with quote #21

Crab shell meal is supposed to help. Mike in Hanover, VA __________________ Zone-7, previously Mescalito

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