Greenhouse Update - February 17, 2006
Leanne Pundt, Extension Educator, University of Connecticut
Nutrient Testing is important to prevent nutritional problems from developing as well as to aid in the diagnosis of plant problems. The University of Connecticut Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory is now able to do saturated media extract (SME) testing. With the SME analysis they can test for: media pH, soluble salts (EC), Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Nitrate and Ammonium Nitrogen, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Molybdenum and Boron.
In order to take a representative and adequate sample size:
Identify crop unit to be sampled.
Sample consists of cores or slices from all depths of pots or from the root zone
Take sample from 10 or more randomly selected pots.
Mix and pack up 1 ½ cups in a zip-lock bag and label the outside of the bag with a sample name or number.
The fee for SME is $10 per sample. Fertilizer recommendations are made by Dr. Richard McAvoy, Greenhouse Extension Specialist. If you would like to receive fertilizer recommendations, please fill out the questionnaire with your phone number and email address. (The Soil Nutrient Laboratory can email you the soil test results).
For more information, see their website, www.soiltest.uconn.edu or call the soil nutrient laboratory at 860-486-4274.
Inspect Incoming Plants for insects, diseases and cultural problems. At one location, we saw silverleaf whiteflies on mandevilla. Because of the potential that silverleaf whiteflies may be the Q type, (which you could not tell without genetic testing), it’s important to manage the whiteflies while the plants are small, so it’s easier to get better spray coverage. Growers have reported good results using Safari, Avid/Talstar, or Judo against silverleaf whiteflies.
 |
 |
|
Myrothecium leaf
spot on New Guinea Impatiens |
|
New Guinea Impatiens cuttings – can become infected by a number of different diseases in propagation including
Botrytis blight, Rhizoctonia and Myrothecium leaf spot. Myrothecium rodium is a weak pathogen that is cosmopolitan and may be more prevalent in warmer regions. During propagation, this disease may be difficult to manage because of the warm, humid conditions and presence of weakened, wounded tissues.
Look for brown leaf spots on the tips of leaves. As you can see, the line pattern is different from the ringspots that may develop when impatiens are infected with impatiens necrotic spot virus. Protectant fungicides such as Daconil, or Heritage may be used according to label directions. Once plants are rooted, this disease is much less of a concern for growers.
|
Previous 2006 UConn IPM Greenhouse Updates |
| January 31, 2006 |
|
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. |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
| GREENHOUSE IPM COORDINATOR (commercial interests and growers) |
LEANNE PUNDT | 860-626-6240 |
| . | . | . |
|
HOME GREENHOUSE QUESTIONS |
phone toll free |
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.