Nematodes are multicellular, unsegmented, worm-like animals. Stem and bulb nematode feeds within plant tissue often causing distortion and dieback.

The Nematoda is a very diverse phylum of animals, there are more than 25 000 described species. Their adaptability to almost every habitat including soil, freshwater, marine and all climatic zones is what makes them so successful. Nematodes are essential to ecosystems including the garden; a large proportion help break down and recycle organic material these are free-living nematodes other species are obligate parasites of plants and animals.

Stem and bulb nematode feeds within soft plant tissue (parenchymatous) sometimes in leaves but mostly in stems,

These are fleshy, rounded, underground storage organs, usually sold and planted while dormant. Examples include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, onions and garlic. The term is often used to cover other underground storage organs, including corms, tubers and rhizomes.

The symptoms described below can also be typical of some nutrient deficiencies and disease. Confirming stem and bulb nematodes are present usually requires laboratory examination of plant material.  Please use our online service via My RHS to send us photographs and find out how to submit samples as we have advice staff and scientists working to help with your questions.

There are several different strains or biotypes of stem and bulb nematode. Morphologically they appear similar and can only be distinguished by DNA sequencing and the range of host plants. For example, in Britain the strain feeding on tulips will also affect Narcissus (Daffodils) but another strain readily found on Narcissus will not attack tulips.

Symptoms on vegetables

Members of the Allium family (onions, shallots, chives, garlic and leeks) tend to swell and distort. This is sometimes referred to as 'onion blout', ultimately the bulbs rot, crack and die. 
In rhubarb, carrots and parsnips the crown and leaf bases swell, rot and eventually split.
French and runner beans suffer from swollen stems which blister and turn brown, growth can be stunted and leaves will grow in bunches.

Symptoms on ornamentals

On herbaceous ornamentals such as phlox, growth is stunted and foliage tends to die back, leaves turn yellow later brown, twisting and distorting.

In infected bulbous plants such as tulips and narcissus the above ground growth will produce stunted and distorted foliage that has a yellowish colour. Small pale yellowish swellings or speckles develop on the underside of leaves. These speckled swellings are more prominent before flowering and can easily be felt when the leaf is run between finger and thumb. In the bulbs the inner scales are usually more severely attacked than the outer scales. The bulbs become soft and brown and eventually rots. If an infested bulb is cut in half transversely, the feeding damage within the bulb can be seen as a series of brown rings or arcs. There is no sign of a maggot, as with an infestation of narcissus bulb fly.

In large plantings of narcissus, the area of dead and distorted plants gradually increases each year as the nematode spreads from plant to plant.

Note that where many daffodils fail to appear, often in the second year after planting, this is more likely to be due to a fungal disease known as narcissus basal rot.
 

Cultural methods can be used to reduce infestation and minimize damage. There are no pesticides available to home gardeners which will control stem and bulb nematodes.

Purchase nematode free plant material:

Avoid introducing stem and bulb nematode and other bulb problems into your garden by buying firm, good quality bulbs from reputable suppliers.

Good sanitation practices in the garden:

Once the presence of stem and bulb nematode has been confirmed, dig out any plant material showing signs of damage and also other apparently healthy host plants within a one metre radius. Removed bulbs and foliage should be treated as diseased material and not be disposed of in a garden compost heap. 

Leave fallow: 

If possible leave infested soil bare for at least three years, with host plants the nematodes should die out. Longer periods may be needed if you have a loam soil. During this time continuously remove weeds that could be potential host plants. 

Hot water treatment: 

Hot water treatment can destroy the nematodes within the bulb. This method was first developed in 1916 by James Kirkham Ramsbottom a horticulture student at RHS Wisley and it saved the daffodil industry. Nematodes in bulbs can be killed by immersing the dormant bulbs in water held at 44.5°C (112°F) for three hours. However, this is a difficult procedure without professional equipment, and so usually limited to commercial production. Too much heat will damage the bulbs, while too little will allow the nematodes to survive. An insulated water tank with thermostatic controls is needed to maintain the correct temperature. After treatment, the bulbs should be planted in a different part of the garden with un-infested soil.