Investigating Insects
Greenhouse Product News
August 2008
By Daniel Gilrein
The Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center’s entomology program’s ambitious to-do list includes controlling pesky pests threatening crops, identifying new insect and mite species, and even educating a wary public about the environmental benefits of some “creepy crawlers.”
Fogging for Effective Pest Management
Greenhouse Product News
June 2008
By Kurt Becker
When it comes to low-volume chemical application in the greenhouse, growers have a variety of options to choose from — from mist blowers to targeted low volume sprayers.
PDF Version
Targeting the White Menace: Mealybugs
Greenhouse Product News
April 2008
By Casey Sclar
Mealybugs plague greenhouse and interiorscape growers, and they can be difficult to control. But with the right combination of control tactics, growers can successfully rid their crops of these pests.
PDF Version
Diagnosing and Treating Coleus and Downy Mildew
Greenhouse Product News
October 2007
By Mary Hausbeck
Both seed and vegetatively propagated coleus are susceptible to downy mildew, a tricky and elusive disease that is relatively new to the United States. For the latest research on warning signs and effective treatments from MSU, keep reading.
Mite-B-Gone — Understanding Miticides
Greenhouse Product News
September 2007
By Raymond A. Cloyd
This examination of the various commercially available miticides will help you decide which to use to control mites in your greenhouses.
PDF Version
Getting Stirred Up About Tank Mixing
Greenhouse Product News
February 2007
By Raymond Cloyd, Cindy Galle and Stephen Keith
Tank mixing has many benefits, though certain problems may occur. Read on to learn how tank mixing selected insecticides and miticides affects their ability to control silverleaf whitefly and twospotted spider mite.
PDF Version
How We Ensure Sanity
Greenhouse Product News
October 2006
By Ryan Hall
At a plug production facility, good sanitation is a
necessary part of a successful business — both theirs and yours.
PDF Version
Factors Affecting Pesticide Behavior
Greenhouse Product News
September 2006
By Donald Cress, Kansas State University
The behavior of pesticides is dependent on many factors, so be sure to consider everything from light and temperature to moisture and pH and recognize that all the factors will impact the active ingredient.
PDF Version
Managing Lewis Mites On Poinsettia
Greenhouse Product News
August 2006
By Daniel Gilrein
The Lewis mite is still a threat, but the good news is it is quite controllable. From detection to useful miticides — find out more about controlling this pest on poinsettias.
PDF Version
Sanitation’s Place In An IPM Program
Greenhouse Product News
August 2006
By Brian Hogendorp and Raymond Cloyd
Do you discard plant material and growing debris
into refuse containers and forget about it?
According to University of Illinois researchers,
this “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” philosophy
could lead to continual insect and mite problems.
PDF Version
Surfing For Sources
Greenhouse Product News
June 2006
By Rich Lister
If you are overwhelmed
by the number of
pest and disease
resources on the
Internet, we have
identified a few
key Web sites
that will answer most
of your questions
PDF Version
Managing Pests In Small Greenhouses
Greenhouse Product News
March 2006
By Colleen Armstrong
The small greenhouse is not immune to insect and mite infestations: Growers must discover the best combinations and use multiple strategies to prevent plant injury and economic loss.
PDF Version
Biotype Investigation
Greenhouse Product News
December 2005
By Jim Bethke, Frank Byrne and Richard Redak
A biotype, B biotype, Q biotype: Researchers have been studying
the differences between these for years, but just how different are
they when it comes to control? This research has the answers.
Achieving Your Goal With Pest Control
Greenhouse Product News
November 2005
Raymond Cloyd
It is that time of year in which we discuss the new, the old and the soon-to-be-registered pest control materials. Pest control materials, including insecticides and miticides, are relied upon by greenhouse growers to manage plant-feeding insects and mites (arthropods).
PDF Version
Too Much of a Good Thing
Greenhouse Product News
October 2005
By Brian Hogendorp and Raymond Cloyd
Can too much fertilizer affect pest populations? New research shows just how much mealybugs like to feed on over-fertilized plants.
PDF Version
The Mealybug Scourge
Greenhouse Product News
May 2005
By Jim Bethke, Oliver Siapno
Early detection of mealybugs is very important, and monitoring requires regular inspection of host plants for waxy white deposits and the presence of ants and or sooty mold.
PDF Version
The Final Word: Spring Pest Checklist
Greenhouse Product News
April 2005
By Roger C. Styer
My top four diseases to worry about are Botrytis, powdery mildew, downy mildew and Rhizoctonia…My top four insect problems are thrips, aphids, whiteflies and mites.
A Biological Approach
Greenhouse Product News
February 2005
By Christine Casey
Biologicals and biorationals are an emerging method of control;
find out more about them and how to use them.
PDF Version
Five Keys to Quality Spring Plants
Greenhouse Product News
February 2005
By Roger Styer By Roger Styer
Days are full of transplanting, watering, moving crops, spraying and other needed duties; however, sometimes growers can forget about some key factors in growing quality plants.
PDF Version
Take Another Look
Greenhouse Product News
January 2005
By Jim Bethke
Eventually, the camp was buzzing with the prospect of a challenge between the young woodsman and the old veteran of the camp.
PDF Version
Plant Parasitic Nematodes
Greenhouse Product News
December 2004
By James LaMondia
Plant parasitic nematodes have a stylet, a spear-like mouthpart used to cut into or pierce plant cells.
PDF Version
Late-Season Whitefly Control
Greenhouse Product News
October 2004
By Daniel Gilrein
Whiteflies damage a number of crops: verbena, fuchsia, regal geranium, lantana, nicotiana, ageratum and of course poinsettia.
PDF Version
Tank-Mixing and Pesticide Performance
Greenhouse Product News
August 2004
By Ray Cloyd and Daniel Warnock
Western flower thrips (WFT) is one of the most important insect pests in greenhouses because it directly damages plant leaves and flowers.
PDF Version
The Latest Miticides
Greenhouse Product News
June 2004
By Jim Bethke, Oliver Siapno and Richard Redak
Recent trials measure efficacy
for some of the latest miticides.
PDF Version
Managing Mites
Greenhouse Product News
March 2004
By Daniel Gilrein
The good news is that more than 15 miticides are now available for greenhouse use, with no small credit due to the industry in Japan.
PDF Version
The New Pesticide
Greenhouse Product News
February 2004
By Ron Oetting
We have been waiting for this registration for some time, and it is really exciting to finally have it available for growers to use in their rotation for greenhouse pests.
PDF Version
Insecticides and Miticides: What’s new? What’s old?
Greenhouse Product News
November 2003
Jim Bethke
With the merging of so many companies and the continued growth of government regulations, there appear to be fewer competing laboratories in the search for new insecticides. Generics, forged from patent expiration, will become the next wave of registered pesticides. This means nothing really new. However, an unanswered question remains. Will pests that are difficult to control already, become more difficult to control due to enhanced pesticide tolerance?
PDF Version
Grower 101: Pesticide Application and Equipment
Greenhouse Product News
November 2003
Neda Simeonova
Selecting the correct product for the job is very important to the success of a pest management program, but equally important is the equipment and application technique used to apply the pesticide. To help select the right application and equipment, we turned to Dick Lindquist, a senior technical manager of Olympic Horticultural Products, Wooster, Ohio. The following information is confined to products applied to aboveground plant parts.
PDF Version
IGRs on Fungus Gnats and Western Flower Thrips
Greenhouse Product News
October 2003
Scott W. Ludwig, Kelli Hoover and Robert Berghage
The objective of this research was to evaluate, under commercial growing conditions, the impact of Precision, Adept and Distance on western flower thrips and fungus gnat populations when insecticides were applied to the potting medium of African violets at the rates used for fungus gnat management.
PDF Version
Counting on Coir
Greenhouse Product News
September 2003
Joseph B. Hanson
One growing media component that may be worth experimenting with is coir. Manufactured from the fibrous husks of coconuts in exotic places such as Sri Lanka and India, coir has emerged as a relatively new growing medium. But the question is, how well does it work? Growers from all over the United States shared with GPN the advantages and disadvantages they've experienced in using coir.
PDF Version
The Truth Behind Tank Mixes
Greenhouse Product News
September 2003
Ron Oetting
What is the role of tank mixes, or the lack thereof, in resistance management today? This is a good question with answers supported by various theories, but the most common theory is that mixing compounds will result in resistance developing faster than if each pesticide is used separately in a rotation. The purpose of this article is to address some of the reasoning behind the use of tank mixes and rotations in pest management.
PDF Version
Bio-Fungicides
Greenhouse Product News
August 2003
Steve Nameth
Many beneficial fungi and bacteria have been isolated from the soil and tested in private and university-based laboratories as to their ability to control plant pathogens. Recently, some of the more promising of these beneficial fungi and bacteria have been further developed and marketed to ornamental plant growers as an alternative to traditional chemical-based fungicides.
PDF Version
AFE Research Reports
Greenhouse Product News
August 2003
Steven F. Martinez
Since 1961, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) has invested $11 million in scientific research and educational programs. The Special Reports are a result of Endowment-funded scientific research projects at universities throughout the United States. The reports are written by some of the industry's most respected researchers and are set up to provide readers with a basic understanding of the projects, the results and how results can improve horticulture.
PDF Version
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Pyrenees Pink'
Greenhouse Product News
July 2003
Paul Pilon
Hardy hibiscus is an old-time garden favorite riding a new wave of popularity. Hibiscus moscheutos is a marshland native of the eastern United States and has hardiness in USDA Zones 4-9. With new developments in plant breeding, today's hibiscus cultivars offer improved flower sizes and colors, more appealing plant habits and extended bloom times.
Finishing Bedding Plants and Perennials
Greenhouse Product News
July 2003
Roger C. Styer
It's time to recap problem areas. My top five encompass the growers' greatest concerns. These top issues are where I spend most of my time with clients.
PDF Version
Methyl Bromide Alternatives
Greenhouse Product News
July 2003
Ann Chase
The combination of methyl bromide and chloropicrin has long been used to control weeds, nematodes and plant pathogens like Pythium. Some industries have found acceptable alternatives over the past five years and no longer use methyl bromide. Floriculture has been struggling to find an acceptable alternative.
PDF Version
Top Ten Problems of Vegetative Annuals
Greenhouse Product News
June 2003
Colleen Warfield, Brian Whipker, Christine Casey, Raymond Cloyd, James Gibson and Brian Krug
Below are the top ten problems of vegetative annuals we have observed during extension visits to growers and through plant samples submitted to the North Carolina State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. Recognizing potential problems and how to prevent or manage them will, hopefully, keep these problems off your top ten list.
Hemerocallis 'Little Missy'
Greenhouse Product News
April 2003
Paul Pilon
Hemerocallis 'Little Missy' is a new diploid daylily that was recently introduced by DeVroomen Holland Garden Products. This cultivar reaches 2 feet tall, bearing beautiful, purple-red flowers with fine, white edges and a contrasting yellow throat. Little Missy is considered a rebloomer, which means it produces a flush of flowers in late spring to early summer and bears flowers again later that same summer.
PDF Version
The Clone Wars: Aphids!
Greenhouse Product News
March 2003
Jim Bethke and Richard A. Redak
According to the literature about aphids, every plant on the planet can be fed upon by one or more aphid species. However, when one considers that there are more than 4,000 species of aphids described worldwide, there are relatively few that are ornamental pests.
PDF Version
Painted-Pot Technology: A Novel Method of PGR and Pesticide Application
Greenhouse Product News
February 2003
Steve Nameth and Claudio Pasian
Steve Nameth is professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Claudio Pasian is associate professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. They may be reached by phone at (614) 292-8038 or via E-mail at nameth.2@osu.edu.
PDF Version
Slugs and Snails: Constant Nemeses of Ornamentals
Greenhouse Product News
January 2003
Ron Oetting
There are many more species of land snails than slugs, and most do not cause noticeable damage to ornamental plants. However, the many that do are among the most damaging pests in the greenhouse, garden and landscape. Control is a major problem in all habitats. There are many things that can be done to reduce the potential of a problem occurring.
PDF Version
Update on Insecticides and Miticides for the Ornamental Market
Greenhouse Product News
November 2002
Jim Bethke
In Ann Chase's description of a list of fungicides she provided last year in her column, she said, "The majority of the products included are currently labeled somewhere in the United States, though you should check the label to see if they are registered for use in your area." I completely agree, and that's the approach I will take in this discussion.
PDF Version
Getting a Handle on Pesticides
Greenhouse Product News
October 2002
Bob Decker
Pesticides used today are less toxic and used less frequently than several years ago. Nevertheless, they can be a serious hazard to employees if not stored and used properly.
PDF Version
Fungus Gnats: Media and Water Control Methods
Greenhouse Product News
October 2002
Marc van Iersel, Denise Olson and Ron Oetting
Coconut coir often has been marketed as a growing medium component that can inhibit the development of fungus gnats. However, there appears to be little research-based information to confirm this claim. We conducted several studies comparing how coconut coir and peat affect the development of fungus gnat populations.
PDF Version
Leafminer Tenacity
Greenhouse Product News
September 2002
James A. Bethke and Dr. Richard A. Redak
As growers progress into fall production, more and more reports are arising about a pest many thought was long since vanquished: the leafminer. Recently, Dr. Ron Oetting investigated an infestation of L. huidobrensis in chrysanthemums in Georgia. This species is a serious pest in South America, and it would behoove the industry to catch and eliminate these infestations as they occur.
Combating Insecticide Resistance
Greenhouse Product News
September 2002
Ron Oetting
Resistance is not as big a puzzle as we once thought; we understand what causes it. However, we still do not have a clear picture of why some pesticides are not as subject to the development of resistance or how to deal with preventing resistance from occurring. There are several theories, and applying these help in creating a management strategy to try and delay the development of resistance to specific compounds. An accepted practice is to rotate pesticides so pests are not constantly exposed to one specific mode of action (the site and method of activity of a pesticide against a pest.)
Heuchera 'Fireworks' Coral Bells
Greenhouse Product News
September 2002
Paul Pilon
The Native American perennial heuchera has become one of the hottest, most must-have perennial plants for today's gardens. Fireworks is best recognized by its "explosive" display of light, coral-bell-shaped flowers on wiry stems held over the lightly ruffled bronze foliage. It is a prolific and a long-lasting bloomer that continues flowering from May-August and attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds. It has good re-blooming characteristics and can be used as a cut flower.
Putting Mother Nature to Work
Greenhouse Product News
August 2002
Stanton Gill
Many growers are looking for alternative methods for controlling whiteflies, and some of them are turning toward biologicals. The most interesting new developments in biological control are with natural enemies such as parasitoids, predators and pathogens, though there are also a number of oils, soaps and other biological agents
PDF Version
Whiteflies Are Not Flies
Greenhouse Product News
August 2002
James A. Bethke, Heather S. Costa and Richard A. Redak
There are over 1,200 species of whiteflies identified worldwide; however, only a few of them are classified as pest species. Newly introduced species of whitefly can quickly become pests and may adapt to new host plants and environmental conditions. For example, one year after the silverleaf whitefly reached greenhouses in California, it replaced the greenhouse whitefly as the dominant species on poinsettias.
PDF Version
GROWER 101: Whiting Out Whiteflies
Greenhouse Product News
August 2002
Stanton GIll
Whiteflies can be very damaging to greenhouse crops and field and greenhouse-grown cut flowers because of their broad host range, resistance to insecticides and potential to vector a variety of plant virus diseases. High populations of whiteflies can weaken plants, causing chlorotic foliage and reduced vigor.
PDF Version
Avoiding Top Problems of Poinsettias
Greenhouse Product News
July 2002
Brian E. Whipker, Colleen Warfield, Raymond Cloyd, James L. Gibson and Todd J. Cavins
Poinsettias can, at times, be a problematic crop, but being aware of the more common nutritional, physiological and insect and disease-related problems encountered during production can help reduce the headaches. By watching for potential problems, understanding their causes and knowing the proper corrective actions to take, one can avoid most of these issues.
PDF Version
Top 10 Poinsettia Mistakes
Greenhouse Product News
July 2002
Roger C. Styer
Even though it is mid-summer, poinsettia growers have a long way to go before they can ship their poinsettias. During that long period, many things can go wrong. I’ve boiled down the major mistakes I see poinsettia growers making, along with some suggestions to avoid them. See if any of your mistakes are on this list!
PDF Version
Scouting for Mites, Part II
Greenhouse Product News
June 2002
Kevin Donovan
One of the keys to a successful scouting program is being able to accurately identify the pests and diseases you come in contact with. The following is a review of the most prevalent greenhouse mites.
PDF Version
Ornamental Pepper Production Tips
Greenhouse Product News
June 2002
Brian E. Whipker, James L. Gibson, Ingram McCall, Todd J. Cavins, Colleen Warfield and Raymond Cloyd
There are over 30 cultivars of ornamental peppers available. The production tips listed here may help you fine-tune your growing program to produce a higher-quality crop.
Grower 101: Scouting for Mites, Part I
Greenhouse Product News
May 2002
Kevin Donovan
To effectively implement a mite management program, you must first identify the mite species, understand its life cycle and determine whether populations are at an economically damaging threshold. This is accomplished through a scouting plan that is performed routinely and in a systematic manner.
PDF Version
A New Mode of Resistance Management
Greenhouse Product News
March 2002
Jim Bethke
What is the best approach to manage pests without enhancing pesticide resistance? Minimizing chemical control by incorporating other pest management tactics is a more sensible solution. Managing pests should begin with the basics of integrated control.
PDF Version
Marketing and Production Basics of Field Cut Production
Greenhouse Product News
March 2002
John M. Dole and Lane Greer
Commercial, field-grown cut flower production encompasses an incredible array of plant materials, including fresh, dried and preserved flowers, stems and berries. A large portion of fresh and dried cuts in North America is grown outdoors. Cuts are marketed through a variety of channels — some summer-only, others year-round. Proper selection of plant materials can allow year-round production, although harvests will be limited during the winter in temperate climates.
PDF Version
Angelonia — the warm season snapdragon
Greenhouse Product News
March 2002
Rick Schoellhorn
Six years ago, Angelonia angustifolia was a good little summer annual in the South, but unreliable both in hardiness and in vigor; it was also pretty darn hard to find even if you knew what you were looking for. In today’s market, this is one of the leading new vegetative crops, with a lot of good horticulture behind it and a bright future.
PDF Version
Growing Under Open Roofs
Greenhouse Product News
March 2002
Sven E. Svenson
What is the function of a growing structure? To control the environment or to assist the grower with manipulating healthy plant growth? Should the grower and the plants be forced to adapt to the environment the greenhouse provides, or should the greenhouse provide adaptable environments the grower needs to force the crop? Open-roof structures provide more environmental flexibility compared to traditional greenhouse designs.
PDF Version
What’s Going On With Insecticides?
Greenhouse Product News
December 2001
Richard Lindquist
This is the time of year when the editors of GPN ask for information on what has been happening with insecticides and other related chemicals and predictions for where they are headed in the near future. Based on recent events, it’s difficult to make general predictions, so I’ll confine my efforts to insect and mite management.< This is the time of year when the editors of GPN ask for information on what has been happening with insecticides and other related chemicals and predictions for where they are headed in the near future. Based on recent events, it’s difficult to make general predictions, so I’ll confine my efforts to insect and mite management.
PDF Version
Ornamental Disease Control Products —2002 Update
Greenhouse Product News
December 2001
A. R. Chase
Last year, for the first time, GPN published a table, summarizing efficacy results for fungicide and bactericide ornamental trials at Chase Research Gardens. This year, we decided to do the same thing as an annual update.
PDF Version
Sprayers and Spray Application Techniques
Greenhouse Product News
December 2001
John W. Bartok, Jr.
Proper selection, calibration and operation of spray equipment is important in achieving optimal pest control, as well as in meeting environment and safety requirements.
PDF Version
Some Aphids Go Deep, Others High
Greenhouse Product News
November 2001
Stanton Gill
Most growers are familiar with aphids, but did you know there are aphids that attack the roots of plants? Yes, the roots. You may be used to looking for aphids on foliage and stems, but with these aphids, you need to pull off the pot and look closely at the root system.
PDF Version
Solving the Perennial Problem
Greenhouse Product News
October 2001
Gary Hickman
More and more growers are supplementing their bedding plant mix with perennials, and they are learning that with this new crop comes many of the same old problems. Research from the UC Cooperative Extension points growers in the right direction for height control on many common perennials.
PDF Version
Managing Spider Mites: The New and the Old
Greenhouse Product News
October 2001
Richard K. Lindquist
Spider mites have been around for a long time, and so have some of the treatments for them. Lately, improved application methods and new chemical have brought this pesky group back into the spotlight.
PDF Version
Caterpillar Pests
Greenhouse Product News
October 2001
Raymond A. Cloyd
While commonly thought of as threats to vegetable crops, caterpillars can also ravage annuals and perennials. Learn how to identify, prevent and control an infestation before they chew away your crops and profits.
PDF Version
Fighting the GWSS With Science
Greenhouse Product News
September 2001
Beth Meneghini
This second update on glassy-winged sharpshooters (the first appeared in April 2001) details how California researchers and scientists are waging a desperate effort to stop the onslaught of this new threat to both the wine and horticulture industries.
PDF Version
Size Control for Lantana
Greenhouse Product News
September 2001
Jim Barrett and Rick schoellhorn
Lantana may be gaining popularity with consumers, but its spreading habit is causing headaches for growers. Here are some treatments to stop lantana spread.
PDF Version
Grower 101: Managing Resistance in the Greenhouse
Greenhouse Product News
August 2001
Information on fungicide resistance is authored by Robert Wick
Managing pests and diseases in the greenhouse can be a challenge for even the most experienced grower. When resistance is thrown into the mix, new growers are often overwhelmed.
PDF Version
Grower 101: Western Flower Thrips
Greenhouse Product News
July 2001
By D. Casey Sclar, Ph. D.
Western flower thrips are very difficult to control, particularly in greenhouse situations. Thrips are found in many crop environments, both indoor and outdoor, and can survive the harshest winters in the Northeast.
PDF Version
Maximize Your Success with Insecticides
Greenhouse Product News
December 2000
C.C. Powell
Controlling insects on ornamental plants can be a challenge.This quick review of the basics will put you on the right path to an insect-free greenhouse.
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