February 5, 2019

Greenhouse IPM update 2.5.19

Ahh, pretend spring!  I’m enjoying every minute!

Botrytis on overwintering crops – it’s a sneaky one.  Yes, it likes temperatures in the 70’s – who doesn’t?  (not much higher, though).  But UC Davis says ‘temperatures near 32 F will retard but not completely stop the development of gray mold.’  High humidity and free water are also necessary for the disease to progress.  So it could be lurking there waiting for a chance to sneak out.  So keep an eye on the overwintered stock, keep relative humidity below 75%, and keep the air circulating!

UMD Extension suggests starting ornamental pepper plants now if you want them as banker plants for Orius in March or when the day length is long enough in your area – about 12 hours of light.  They need to be flowering when you apply the Orius so they can feed on the pollen.

Couldn’t get to Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont for their terrific 2019 IPM Workshops? (you really should go some year) You can get the materials presented on-line at https://www.uvm.edu/~entlab/Greenhouse%20IPM/Workshops/2019/IPMWorkshop2019.html  It’s going to get cold again so you’ll need something to read….

April 6, 2016

Greenhouse IPM update 4.6.16

A lovely tour of Rochester greenhouses last week.  I think I was having a color deficit reaction.  Need More Flowers!

It’s all in the tank! How do beneficial nematodes get along with pesticides as a tank mix?  Sarah Jandricic checked it out.

Beating botrytis – yes, it is that time of year.
The temperature and humidity range information is very helpful!

Keeping up with calibration – for EC and pH meters.  Note that not all are constructed the same way – but the basic information is a good reminder.  In fact, I need to calibrate mine today!

Need more encouragement to scout? And even more?

Do plants need sunscreen – when you use UV light to kill fungal diseases?

Grown in the USA – more beneficials are available from Beneficial Insectary in CA.

A little light reading – if you can find the time now.  The presentations from the 2015 Canadian Greenhouse Conference. My favorite slide title – The bios are @#&%$ !!! A checklist before complaining to your supplier.

Margery says she always reads these in case I mention her.  Maybe I should start adding other people’s names, too.

Have a great week!

March 22, 2016

Greenhouse IPM Update 1.17.16

How the email piles up!  But lots of good stuff in there, even if I think of just deleting them all and starting over.  Is that Spring Cleaning?

Webinars for everyone – from E–GRO
January 22 – Managing Nutrient Solutions for Hydroponic Leafy Greens and Herbs is full but contact Brian Whipker for more information: bwhipker@ncsu.edu

January 29, 11-2 Eastern time – PGR University: Cutting Edge PGR Webinar https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/4737168154709094146
February 5 – 2–3 Eastern time – Blisters, Bumps and Lesions: What we know about the physiological disorders of intumescence and edema

There is much more to find at the e-GRO website –  Videos, research, alerts . . .

Want your education face to face? Plant Nutrition for Greenhouse Crops: On-site Media Testing, Feb 16, Sturbridge MA.  Click here for more information
How nice!  Handouts and information from previous events are all collected in one site,   And note the buttons for Fact Sheets, Publications and Resources, etc.

Got drips running down the back of your neck when you are in the greenhouse?  Here’s the article for you. Reducing Humidity in the Greenhouse

And that relates to botrytis and how to manage it!

Moisture levels even matter in space!

Ten ‘easy’ steps to greenhouse sanitation – NOW is the time to do it if you haven’t already.

And something else to clean in case you didn’t do it yet – how to winterize your sprayer – even if winter doesn’t really happen in your greenhouse

There may be no such thing as a free lunch but MSU has FREE Pest Scouting Bulletins to download – including Greenhouse.

And one on Commercially Available Biological Control Agents for Common Greenhouse Insect Pests!

Really being prepared!  Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo – November 9-10 in Boxborough, MA.

Keeping hydroponic roots happy!  Temperature, oxygen levels and beneficial microbes at optimum levels helps.

Stay warm and cuddled up to your computer watching webinars!  Have a great week!  Maybe even get out to one of the many greenhouse educational meetings this month!