Some of the advantages of IPM include early detection of problems, which makes it easier to spot treat and more effectively use softer, less toxic materials such as horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, neem-based materials and insect-killing fungi. Regular inspection and monitoring also increase plant health and quality.
Monitoring and record keeping are critical to develop an effective IPM program. By keeping good records, you will be able to determine which pests are most prevalent in your operation and devise appropriate management strategies. Keep records of: date, weather, key pests present, your treatment decision, and whether the treatment was effective. Site maps may be helpful to see patterns of pest and cultural problems. Sample scouting forms are available here at the UConn Greenhouse IPM website.
To monitor for pests, visual inspection is needed. A 10x handlens or magnifying glass may be needed to detect small insects and fungal spores. Yellow sticky cards can be used to monitor for greenhouse pests such as thrips, whiteflies, and fungus gnats. Yellow sticky cards may also be used outdoors to monitor for migrating leafhoppers. A sweepnet may also be used to assess the population of leafhoppers and plant bugs. Plant foliage may be tapped over a white sheet of paper to look for mites and thrips.
Many beginning growers will grow a wide variety of cut flowers to meet their market demand. Growing such a wide variety of plants makes it difficult to scout for potential insect and disease problems. One way to simplify your scouting efforts is to focus on key plants and key pests. Key plants are those plants that have serious, persistent problems year after year. Many key pests have short life cycles or rapid generation times and can attack a wide range of both annual and perennial cut flowers.
Key pests will vary depending upon your particular microclimate, location and production method. During greenhouse production, key pests may include aphids, fungus gnats, greenhouse whiteflies, thrips, two-spotted mites and slugs.
During field production, key insect pests may include: aphids, tarnished plant bugs, Japanese beetles, cucumber beetles (various types), cyclamen mites and two spotted mites, grasshoppers, lacebugs and leafhoppers. Key diseases may include: powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust diseases, stem and crown rots, botrytis blight, aster yellows and wilt diseases.
The following table lists some selected cut flowers, with the key insects and diseases that have been observed in the Northeast.
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Weeds are one of the most difficult challenges for the beginning cut flower grower. However, a weed management program can be devised based upon the use of various types of mulches, timely cultivation and the selective use of herbicides.
The threshold level for certain weed pests may be lower if your cut flower farm is open to the public where the presence of weeds may make it more difficult for customers to cut their own flowers.
As with insects and disease pests, it is important to know the identification and life cycle of the different types of weeds. Black plastic mulch combined with drip irrigation will help control weeds and minimizes leaf moisture.
If you are planning to use chemical control, contact your Extension specialist for further advice. Many herbicides are only labeled for certain species of cut flowers. Larger-sized transplants may also be more tolerant to certain herbicides than smaller plugs. An up-to-date, extensive listing of the different herbicides for use on various annuals, biennials, and perennial herbaceous crops is: Weed Management Guide for Herbaceous Ornamentals by Dr. Andrew Senesac, Weed Science Specialist, Cornell University. In Total Plant Management for Herbaceous Perennials. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. Available from : Central Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, 11975 Homewood Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Byczynski, L. 1997. The Flower Farmer. An Organic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, White River Junction, VT. 207 pp.
Gill, S. and J. Sanderson. 1998. Ball Identification Guide to Greenhouse Pests and Beneficials. Ball Publishing. Batavia, Ill. 244 pp. GrowerTalks Bookshelf. 1-888-888-0013
Stevens, A. 1998. Field Grown Cut Flowers: A Practical Guide and Sourcebook. Commercial Field Grown Fresh and Dried Cut Flower Production. Avatar’ World. Edgerton, WI 394 pp.
Chase, A. R. and M. Daughtrey. 1992. Ball Field Guide to Diseases of Greenhouse Ornamentals. Ball Publishing, Batavia, ll. Available GrowerTalks Bookshelf. 1-888-888-0013
Chase, A. R, M. Daughtrey, and G. Simone. 1995. Diseases of Annuals and Perennials. A Ball Guide to Identification and Control. 202. Available from Ball Publishing, Batavia, Ill. GrowerTalks Bookshelf. 1-888-888-0013
Daughtrey, M. and M. Semel. 1987. Herbaceous Perennials: Diseases and Insect Pests. Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication. Information Bulletin No. 207. 25 pp.
Included as Insert: 1999 Pest Management Recommendations for the Production of Herbaceous Perennials. Available from: Cornell University Resource Center, 7 Business and Technology Park, Ithaca, NY 1-607-255-2080.
Field-Grown Cut and Dried Flower Production and Marketing. Horticulture Production Guide. 48 pp. Available from: Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) 1-800-346-9140.
Gill, S., Clement, D. and E. Dutky. 1999. Pests and Diseases of Herbaceous Perennials, The Biological Approach. Ball Publishing, Batavia, Ill. 304 pp.Available from GrowerTalks Bookshelf. 1-888-888-0013
Horst, K. 1990. Westcott's Plant Disease Handbook. 5th edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold. 953 pp.
Lopes, P. and L. Stack (ed). 1999-2000. New England Greenhouse Floricultural Recommendations: A Management Guide for Insects, Diseases, Weeds and Growth Regulators. Available from: Publications Office, Draper Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003. Enclose a check for $15.00 made payable to the University of Massachusetts.
Senesac, A. 1999. Weed Management Guide for Herbaceous Ornamentals. In Total Plant Management for Herbaceous Perennials. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. Available from : Central Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, 11975 Homewood Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Uva, R., J. Neal, and J. DiTomaso. 1997. Weeds of the Northeast. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY 396 pp.
Westcott, C. 1973. The Gardeners Bug Book. 4th edition. Doubleday and Company. NY. 689 pp.
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Leanne Pundt, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension
This information was developed for conditions in the Northeast. Use in other geographical areas may be inappropriate.
The information in this material is for educational purposes. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of printing. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. The Cooperative Extension system does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available.All agrochemicals/pesticides listed are registered for suggested uses in accordance with federal and Connecticut state laws and regulations as of the date of printing. If the information does not agree with current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law.Warning! Agrochemicals/pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. Carefully handle and store agrochemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for current regulations.The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kirklyn M. Kerr, Director, Cooperative Extension System, The University of Connecticut, Storrs. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System offers its programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an equal opportunity employer.
