Greenhouse Update - January 31, 2006
Leanne Pundt, Extension Educator, University of Connecticut
Inspect incoming plants for key insects, diseases, weeds and cultural problems. Inspect the entire plant – leaves, stems and roots for signs of pest activity and for general health. Roots should be white with vigorous growth – brown, decayed roots are evidence of root rot disease or root death due to other causes such as overwatering or high salt levels.
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Inspect
incoming plants. L. Pundt photo click for a larger image. |
If at all possible, do not accept plant shipments with serious insects or diseases with wide host ranges, and are difficult to treat. For example, incoming plants may be infested with resistant insects, mites or Botrytis spores that will be more difficult to treat. Do not accept plant material infected with incurable diseases, such as viruses, bacterial leaf spot diseases, or foliar nematodes. If you need confirmation, isolate a few plants showing symptoms and send them to a diagnostic laboratory.
If you find isolated evidence of some insect activity, for example, aphids, and decide to keep the shipment, identify an isolated, quarantine area in which to keep the plants. Treat immediately and hold the plants in this area until you are sure that they are healthy, salable and free of pest problems. Ask workers to enter this quarantine area at the end of the day to avoid moving pest problems throughout your operation.
Cooler Greenhouse Temperatures – Many growers are considering growing crops cooler due to the higher energy costs. Many of the newer crops in production today can tolerate the lower temperatures, but may stay in production longer, so growers need to calculate if they are indeed saving money.
In cooler greenhouses, plants and floors tend to stay wet longer after watering, which can lead to outbreaks of Botrytis blight, especially on susceptible plants. Water only when needed, in the mid to later morning (10 am to noon), to help promote leaf dryness. Using HAF fans, as well as heating and venting will also help promote leaf drying. Prompt rogueing of diseased plants also helps minimize disease spread. If needed, protectant fungicides such as Decree, Daconil, Chipco/Sextant may be applied.
For the pro’s and con’s of growing cooler see:
Growing on at Cooler than Optimum Temperatures - http://www.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/fact_sheets/greenhouse_management/gh_cool_growing.htm
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New England Greenhouse Update now online. University Extension Specialists in New England, in conjunction with USDA's Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, contribute information to this new website. Timely updates are provided for commercial growers of greenhouse crops and flowers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. You can use this additional resource for more information about current observations and recommendations on environmentally safe production practices. |
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| GREENHOUSE IPM COORDINATOR (commercial interests and growers) |
LEANNE PUNDT | 860-626-6240 |
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Information on our site 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.