Greenhouse Update - April 1, 2005
Aphids -- continue to occur on may of their favorite plant hosts -- including calibroachoa, many different herbs, such as basil and sage, heliotrope, citrus and elephant ear to name a few. Be sure to check the weeds under greenhouse benches to see if they are a source of your aphid infestations.
Rely on plant inspection to look for aphids -- look on the underside of the leaves and on young growth. Look for signs of infestation -- shed skins, shiny honeydew and distorted growth -- especially when the foxglove aphid is present.
Fortunately, growers have many effective options to choose from including the systemic insecticides Tristar, Flagship, and Marathon as well as reduced risk products such as Endeavor. For retail growers, with only a few infested plants, just taking the plants outside and washing them off with a forceful jet of water also works!
Thrips populations seem to be increasing as temperatures and daylength increase. Don’t forget to put up blue or yellow sticky cards to detect thrips when populations are low. Supplement card counts with plant inspections -- tap foliage or flowers over a sheet of white paper for signs of adult or larval thrips.
Early in the season, when populations are low, target the larval stage with insect growth regulators such as Azatin, Ornazin, Aza-Direct, Pedestal (at highest label rates) or Enstar. Save Conserve or Conserve and Avid until you really need the knockdown and have plants in flower to conserve the effectiveness of this material.
Trials at the University of Maryland on New Guinea Impatiens also reported that Tristar gave good knockdown of thrips, second to Conserve and kept it down for up to 28 days. (See March 4, 2005 issue of TRM/IPM Weekly Greenhouse IPM Report at: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/ipmnet/ipmupdte.htm
Overwatering is common on small, young plant material as growers are training the "new crop" of workers.
Varying degrees of algae (a food source for fungus gnats and shore flies) are then building up on the soil surface. ZeroTol will kill the algae mat you see here, but it will still need to be removed, so that water can penetrate the media.
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Previous 2005 Greenhouse Updates
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LEANNE PUNDT | 860-626-6240 |
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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.
