BIG lose!! Help!

[rpw53]

Pijaya,

Do you have neem trees, Azadirachta indica, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem growing in your area?
Apparently neem tree seeds or leaves can be used to control nematodes: http://www.organicfarmingworld.com/nematodecontrol.html.
I'm thinking an easy method would be to collect the ripe berries and simply mix them in with your soil, or perhaps even crush or grind the berries into smaller pieces for a more uniform distribution in your soil mix - maybe this could eliminate the nasty chemical controls needed for nematodes...

Here in southern Louisiana we have the neem tree's first cousin, Melia azedarach http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melia_azedarach which contains compounds similar to azadirachtin which is the main active ingredient of neem oil, so perhaps this tree could also be used for nematode control.
I've never noticed any nematode problems with my plants, but if I ever do discover a problem I think I might try some Chinaberry seeds in the soil.

Peyton

P.S.
Apparently sesame plant meal or oil can also be used for nematode control. See http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/nematode.html about half way down...

[Socotranboy]

Hello Pijaya,

sorry for your damage on your plants ! It's always a pity when this occur and we are with no arm !
Unfortunatly I can't give you no advice, here, I've the same problem every year, just a little less when I spray some fungicide in autumn but, always some plants died.
I was in the Reunion island in past november and, as you can see my friend's garden is very beautifull, but he loses also one or two plants every year. this year it was a big Pachypodium decaryi..
Best wishes

regards

Alain

[img]http://www.plantemania.com/PHOTOS/garden.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.plantemania.com/PHOTOS/Pachy ... ngense.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.plantemania.com/PHOTOS/Pachy ... i_2010.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.plantemania.com/PHOTOS/Dorst ... _20102.jpg[/img]

[Dirk Everaerd]

Pijaya I am so sorry for You , I cannot help but I wish I could !

[pijaya]

B)Thanks you all.

The dead plant was brought to a University lab for identification. So far have found no nematode. The rot pathogen is being cultured and waiting for identification, probably Phytium of some sort.

The hot water treatment sounds interesting, but then don't know if I can actually apply it. To boil all the soil i use is still a gigantic work! I need a huge oven, the type they use for making pottery perhaps.

Alain, Your friend's garden is very beautiful. My outdoor garden looks immature in comparison. How long has your friend grown these plants in the ground?



Peyton, the neem tree Azadirachta indica actually grows here. I didn't recognize the English and latin name until my friend point that out that it is one of the common trees grown in Thailand. There are also neem extracts being sold widely as organic substitute for pesticide. I will have to try that!



Thanks you all again.

[Socotranboy]

Hello Pijaya,

I hope they will found the bad agent !
I really understand your disappointment !!!!
My friend garden's is about 10 years old
best regards
Alain

[Julie]

Alain, what a beautiful garden your friend has!

Please can you tell me what is the plant that looks like a Magnolia with it's many white flowers, and yet it's got a beautiful shaped caudex! It must be an old plant.

Pijaya, good news that there is no nematode!

[Josse]

Julie, I'm pretty sure that plant must be an aged great looking Pachypodium decaryi.
Stunning specimen!
The plant is simply irresistible by its bright white flowers.

Alain, thanks for the wonderful pictures.


Josse

[Lindsey]

There is a soil steriliser available to amateur growers in UK:
http://www.twowests.co.uk/TwoWestsSite/product/SS.htm
I don't have experience of this equipment myself... when I need to sterilise potting mix I bake small quantities in oven, it's MY responsibility what goes in and out of the oven

[Julie]

Thanks Josse.

[Peter A]

"Would boiling water be good enough to sterilise? If so you could always get a big metal container with your mix and water in and put it over a fire or something maybe?"

I'm told you need to keep it boiling for about an hour.