Horticulture

Plant: OsteospermumTerm: Integrated Pest

Management

Osteospermum “asti”African Daisy

• Annual in Va, flowering herbaceous• Height: 12-18 in. Spacing: 24-36 in.• Hardiness: USDA Zone 10a to 11• Sun Exposure: Full Sun• Bloom Color: White, lavender, apricot• Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Fall• New plant not a lot of growing information

out on it yet.

IPM – Integrated Pest ManagementIPM – Integrated Pest Management

• Pest management Pest management is integrated into all is integrated into all growing practicesgrowing practices

• Use the safest Use the safest chemicals possible chemicals possible and only when and only when requiredrequired

• Focuses on preemptive Focuses on preemptive strategies and cultural strategies and cultural & biological controls& biological controls

IPM

• Use current information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment.

• Manage pest damage by the most economical means

• Least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

• Avoid injury to the host & to other desirable plants & animals

Seven steps to IPM

1. Prevention: – an oz of prevention = a lb of cure2. If you have damage, find what is causing it.3. Identify the pest and research their lifecycle4. Determine when to intervene: $$$5. Research management options6. Implement management strategy7. Keep records on effectiveness of different

methods.

Prevention

• Use resistant plant varieties• Buy from a reputable dealer/grower• Inspect plants before bringing them into

the greenhouse• Do not allow weeds to grow in the

greenhouse or around the outside

Prevention

• Be careful of “pet” plants• Clean thoroughly between crops• Use only sterile medium & containers• Use insect screening• Hose ends must be kept off of the floor at

all times

Scouting

• Inspect plants with a hand lens – especially buds & the undersides of leaves

• Pick 10 plants per bench• Use sticky cards

– change them weekly– Use different color cards to attract different pests

• Look for signs of insects– Honeydew - spittle– Black sooty powder– Webs or Cotton-like balls– Bore holes or off-color spots

Cultural practices

• Keep plants healthy – more capable of defending against damage

• Avoid watering late in the day• Don’t over fertilize• Keep crops spaced appropriately for good

air circulation• Ventilate or heat at night to decrease

humidity

What if you still get pests?

• Determine the damage threshold• Remove heavily infested plants rather

than trying to “save” them.• Use biological controls

– Predator insects– Nematodes/parasites– Work better on “longer term” crops

If that doesn’t work?

• Use chemical controls– Read the label carefully– Be aware of legal implications

• Biorational Pesticides– Use the least toxic chemical – Know the mode of action of the chemical and

the life-stage that it is effective against– Rotate chemicals to prevent resistance

What is a Pest?

• Diseases• Insects• Nematodes/slugs• Weeds• Rodents/Deer

Disease

• Viral – mosaic – plant resistant varieties• Fungal - Spores

– Botrytis– Damping Off– Cytospora– Powdery Mildew– Phytophthora – Fairy Ring

Botrytis

• Affects fruit plants• Causes serious economic damage to

grapes, apples & strawberries• Sanitation:

– Remove all diseased parts – Sterilize tools

Damping Off

• Caused by Pythium fungus• Problem for new seedlings• Causes seedlings to rot at the soil line and

fail. • Can be prevented by using sterile media

and clean pots

Cytospora

• Poplars, spruce, silver maple, apple, peach and cherry trees are highly susceptible

• Sanitation: – Remove all diseased parts – Sterilize tools

• Stressed plants are damaged the most

Powdery Mildew

• Common on grapes, squashes• Zinnias outside have it bad• Does best in dry climates• Late summer problem• Increase air circulation• Treatments to prevent but not cure• Dispose of diseased foliage

Fairy Ring

• Mushroom type fungus• Treatment

– Aerate– Water & fertilize to encourage grass

competition

• Fungicides are not effective

Phytophthora

• Bark fungus - dogwoods, oaks & hardwood trees & shrubs

• Sanitation: – Remove all diseased parts – Sterilize tools

Types of Soils

• Particle Size– Sand– Silt– Clay

• Soil Classification– Sandy Soil– Clayey Soil– Loamy Soil

Today

• Each table conduct tests:• Soil fertility: N-P-K & pH• Soil texture

– Hand method– Suspension method

• Largest particles (sand) sinks 1st• Silt layer sinks next• Smallest particles (clay) stays in suspension

• Just need 2 of 3 particles to figure texture