Greenhouse Update - March 20, 2006
Leanne Pundt, Extension Educator, University of Connecticut
Two-spotted spider mites – low populations of spider mites have been found on some of their favored hosts such as brugsmansia, thunbergia, scalevola, passion vines etc. Closely inspect incoming plants and plants in hot, dry locations in your greenhouses. Look on the underside of leaves for eggs, young nymphs (which do not have the two dark spots), and adults. A 10 to 16-x hand lens is often needed to see the small eggs and young nymphs. Hand lens are available from many different IPM suppliers including Great Lakes IPM (www.greatlakesipm.com) and Gemplers (www.gemplers.com) etc.
Early in an infestation, Ovation, Hexygon and TetraSan (a mite growth regulator) may be effectively used. Repeated applications may be needed. Long rotations are better than shorter rotations. Coverage is especially important for miticides that work by contact. The only translaminar miticides (that move through the leaf) are Avid, TetraSan, Pylon and Judo.
Aphids – check incoming plants such as sweet potato vine and million belles as well as weeds for their presence. Early detection is needed to limit their spread. If only a few plants are infested, a forceful jet of water may help. Many of the neonictinoids (Tristar, Flagship, Safari (suppression as a spray), and Marathon) have been working well for growers. Endeavor, which prevents aphids from feeding, so they starve to death, has also been working very well.
Thrips – The warmer temperatures early last week, increased their activity. Place sticky cards among thrips-prone plants and in warmer greenhouses. Tap foliage over a sheet of white paper to look for the adults and larvae. If larvae are the predominate stage – many different insect growth regulators – such as Pedestal, Enstar or Ornazin can be used. Many other insecticides can also help suppress adults including Botanigard, (or Botanigard tankmixed with Ornazin), Safari, or Aria. Save Conserve till when you really need it for its safety to plant flowers and its effectiveness. (Provided you haven't overused it, so that your thrips are resistant).
Cooler Night Temperatures – combined with the warmer sunny days of March can result in plant stretch. The greater the difference between day and night temperatures, the more stretch you will see on your crops. If you are only reducing your night temperatures, your crops may need more growth regulator applications. Many growers also successfully use an early morning temperature DIP to reduce plant stretch. They reduce the temperature 30 to 60 minutes before dawn and maintain this lower temperature for the first few hours of the day.
If you would like to receive an email notice when new greenhouse updates are posted on the website, please email me at: leanne.pundt@uconn.edu . This will be an undisclosed list, and your email address will remain private.
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Previous 2006 UConn IPM Greenhouse Updates |
| March 3, 2006 |
| February 25, 2006 |
| February 17, 2006 |
| 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. |
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GREENHOUSE IPM COORDINATOR (commercial interests and growers) |
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.