harveyc

Okay, this may not be popular to think about, but it's been "bugging" me for a while and I want to get some thoughts from others on it.

I'm in California and most of my bananas have come as tissue culture plants and a few from other California growers and I think those are okay. However, a few have been from other sources in states that have a history of problems with nematodes and, as such, aren't really supposed to be shipping to California as far as I know. Some people know this as ship anyways and others might not know. That's not what I want to discuss here.

I have no signs of any nematodes, though I don't know what that would look like without digging up the plant, etc. and even then I might not see them. I have some plants in pots and one in the ground and I'm wondering if I should treat them to help safeguard against introducing a harmful pest here. I'm just a hobbyist when it comes to bananas but I do live on a farm and have other crops from which I make my living. I sure don't want to risk that. I could get a restricted pesticide (I have an applicator's permit), but I'd have to explain what I'm using it for to get it added onto my permit and that could cause some troubles for me and others. Are there over-the-counter products or other solutions?

Thanks in advance!

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