It’s cold in my office today so I am typing fast to keep my fingers warm!
Penn State has some nice resources for high tunnels. Cozy up for a little informative reading …
Common Natural Enemies in High Tunnels
Common Insects Found on Sticky Cards in High Tunnels
High Tunnel Vegetable Crops: Designing a Scouting Plan
I’d like to be in a warm steamy greenhouse today! My first greenhouse visit was on Monday – makes me believe spring will come!
Podcast by Jud Reid (and others) on Better Greenhouse Practices And if you scroll down the list of podcasts there are others that might apply
Vegetable varieties with genetic resistance to insects or diseases –in Vegetable MD Online. Not specifically aimed at greenhouse production but a good resource that Meg McGrath is keeping up!
Interesting article on the impact of entomopathogenic fungi on natural enemies
This is pretty cool – on–site molecular detection of soil-borne pathogens. Instant verification of a disease?
In looking for information on trap cropping for cucumber beetles, I found this presentation on biological control of cuke beetles in the field.
Ever notice how revolting adolescents can become beautiful adults . . . in the insect world, of course. (And revolting is the word in this case, as the larvae cover themselves with excrement.)
However, even those beautiful Lily leaf beetle (LLB) adults have the bad habit of feeding on your lily leaves – and getting started as soon as the leaves emerge above the soil. And they like all true lilies and fritillaria (daylilies are safe). When the eggs hatch, the larvae join in on the feast. In some areas, it has become almost impossible to grow lilies!
But don’t give up! Help is on the way! The University of Rhode Island Biocontrol Laboratory has tested several tiny wasps that lay eggs in the LLB larvae and tried them out in several New England states. Luckily, the wasps have set up house and spread from their release sites. It’s not a quick fix but every little bit helps.
NYS IPM’s Brian Eshenaur is coordinating a project to release the beneficial wasps around NYS (don’t worry, they don’t sting) in coordination with several county Extension offices. The first release was this week and we are excited to learn if they parasitize the larvae and then spread. Maybe to a lily bed near you – so you can enjoy growing lilies again.
It’s almost enough to make you appreciate those beautiful beetles . . .
(Richard A. Casagrande, University of Rhode Island, Bugwood.org)
Too hot to think? I hope not as there is lots of new stuff out there. Turn up the fan and start reading!
New York State’s Pollinator Protection Plan is finished! It took a lot of people a lot of time to create. What does it mean for you? It has Best Management Practices for a lot of groups including Pesticide Users, Landowners/Growers, State Agencies, and Beekeepers. It includes funding for pollinator protection and IPM, invasive species prevention and eradication and farmland protection, research and outreach. Check it out!
What’s out there and coming?
Cucurbit downy mildew confirmed in Ontario, Canada – and a new article from Meg McGrath (search for 2016 or scroll down to Cucurbit downy mildew)
Spotted wing drosophila all over NYS
Basil downy mildew – south and central NJ
Late blight on tomatoes – in Maryland
Impatiens downy mildew – in Maryland (maybe it is raining there)
I guess there is at least one advantage to drought.
Are they horror movies or tales of redemption? You decide when you watch Koppert Biologicals’ videos of biocontrol agents eating pests.
Might you have mites? At least some of them like hot weather. I have them on my hops! Griffin’s GGSPro has an article on two spotted spider mite.
And John Sanderson will be covering cyclamen and broad mites at the IPM In-depth (need a reminder? There’s still time to sign up!)
Feeling stuffed up? Learn to unclog your drip emitters.
Have something to say? EPA has a 60 day comment period on some pesticide registration language on combating pesticide resistance. Find out more.
Need information on pest management for specialty crops like lavender? OMAFRA has a blog for you.
What’s new in research?
Using far-red and blue light to reduce intumescence (edema) on tomato.
Using milk jugs, pest lures and a ‘stun pill’ to trap and kill cucumber beetles (not greenhouse but cool)- (but what is the buffalo gourd powder in there for?)
Alabama has a new High tunnel I-book and it is free! Granted New York isn’t Alabama but it might have some useful information and did I mention – FREE!
Have a wonderful week!
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!
Back in the saddle again! I think there are about 5 partial updates on my computer. But I promise not to send them all at once. This should keep you out of trouble for a while!
Rain predicted for tomorrow so it’s a good time to talk about humidity. Which Premier Tech kindly did for us, through Horti-Daily. They didn’t mention pest management (Hey!) but you know that it has an effect. Can we all say together: Botrytis!
Things to keep on your calendar – The Greenhouse Canada Grower Day June 15 in Niagara Falls. The topic this year is Whiteflies – with some great speakers and interesting ideas.
Five wasps in one! Koppert is unveiling a new mix of 5 parasitic wasps to manage aphids – especially to find the earliest infestations. Not available in the US yet – but maybe?
Turns out Bioline has a 3 in 1 aphid wasp mix. Has anyone tried it and is it better than just 2?
Do you use Met 52? Monsanto BioAg says it will keep producing it but it won’t be available from Feb – Oct 2016.
Pit bull bees – that can bite the legs off the varroa mites that plague them! Breeding better bees
What’s in your water (sorry American Express)? Do you know? And does it affect sanitation?
Well, this just looks like fun! A roof cleaner for greenhouses – but will it work on kitchen floors?
Pest management from the comfort of your couch? It sounds like they are trying to get there. An automated pest monitoring system!
Growing vegetables on a cruise ship. Does the grower get to go along?
Koppert has an IPM app. Has anyone tried it?
Poinsettias as landscape plants . In NYS?
Enjoy our mini-spring – and keep your fingers crossed. Winter aconite and snowdrops and crocuses out!
Have a great week!
