Category: Compatibility with natural enemies

Introducing Ontario’s Crop Protection Hub – Your One Stop Shop for Pesticide Information for Greenhouse Crops

Are you a Canadian floriculture grower Planning your IPM program for Spring crops soon? Then look no further! Ontario’s new Crop Protection Hub combines pesticide data from a plethora of sources and combines them into one convenient location.

Types of data (for both chemical and microbial insecticides/fungicides) include:

  • Allowable pesticides by crop type (e.g. cut flowers, potted crops, unrooted cuttings)
  • Rates, REIs, and maximum allowable sprays per crop
  • Compatibility information with beneficial organisms
  • Efficacy ratings of pest management products for specific greenhouse pests
  • Recommendations for best use of products for each pest
  • Link to the most current pesticide label

Keep reading to find out how to access this new application.

Continue reading “Introducing Ontario’s Crop Protection Hub – Your One Stop Shop for Pesticide Information for Greenhouse Crops” →

REMINDER: “Potential Solutions for Parvispinus” Webinar TOMORROW!

Join us for a GrowON webinar tomorrow (Tuesday May 30th) on potential solutions for Thrips parvisipinus from “boots on the ground” folks. This includes technical reps, industry consultants, and extension specialists.

Read on for more information and how to register.

Continue reading “REMINDER: “Potential Solutions for Parvispinus” Webinar TOMORROW!” →

Upcoming GrowON Webinar on May 30th! “Potential Solutions for Parvispinus: Lessons from the Field”

Webinars on Thrips parvispinus are coming fast and hard lately, as scientists and extension agents try to get you the very latest information on this serious pest of ornamentals and peppers.

Join us for a GrowON webinar next Tuesday on potential solutions for this pest from “boots on the ground” folks. This includes technical reps, industry consultants, an your friendly neighborhood extension specialist in Ontario.

Read on for more information and how to register.

Continue reading “Upcoming GrowON Webinar on May 30th! “Potential Solutions for Parvispinus: Lessons from the Field”” →

Dipping Poinsettia Cuttings to Reduce Whitefly 101: 2020 Edition

 

dipping cuttings
Dipping poinsettia cuttings to help lower Bemisia numbers was investigated and perfected by the Biocontrol Lab at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario.

Although we’ve been talking for years here in Canada about dipping your poinsettia cuttings in low-risk pesticides, some growers have yet to take the plunge.

This preventive technique improves efficacy of BOTH biocontrol and pesticide programs for Bemisia, since it lowers your starting pest pressure.

If you’re still unsure of how or when to apply cutting dips, check out the rest of this post.  

 

Continue reading “Dipping Poinsettia Cuttings to Reduce Whitefly 101: 2020 Edition” →

New Chemical Control Option for Thrips and Whitefly

Thrips-tabaci-female-1-1024x683A new pesticide is available  for greenhouse ornamental production in Canada that has shown potential for effective suppression of difficult-to-control thrips and whitefly species.

But to keep this new tool effective, growers will have to use this chemical wisely. Keep reading for  efficacy data on ornamental crops and best management practices for incorporating this chemical into your IPM toolbox.

Continue reading “New Chemical Control Option for Thrips and Whitefly” →

Now’s the Time for Whitefly Prevention: Registered Products for Poinsettia Dips

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHere in Canada, we’ve been talking for years about research on the highly effective method of dipping your poinsettia cuttings in low-risk pesticides to reduce starting whitefly populations. 

Thanks to Dr. Rose Buitenhuis (VRIC), Cary Gates (FCO) and BioWorks, the label for BotaniGard WP has now officially been expanded to include dip applications.  This now adds to our arsenal (see below for more dip products).

Read on for the current BotaniGard label and how dipping can help improve your Bemisia whitefly program this year, whether you’re using pesticides or biocontrol.

Continue reading “Now’s the Time for Whitefly Prevention: Registered Products for Poinsettia Dips” →

Upcoming IPM Workshop in Niagara: Achieving Sustainable Biocontrol in Floriculture

HandlensFeeling a bit lost when it comes to pest management? Searching for advice on how to achieve a sustainable, long-term biocontrol program for your operation?

Then mark your calendars for February 23rd! A new IPM Workshop is here. Read on for details.

Continue reading “Upcoming IPM Workshop in Niagara: Achieving Sustainable Biocontrol in Floriculture” →

2017 Update: 4 Ways You May Be Killing Your Predatory Mites, and How to Check!

PowerPoint PresentationNote: This is a re-post but contains important information on use of DDVP (dichlorvos) with mite sachets. (See point 4!)

In 2017, I had an interaction with a grower where their long-standing biocontrol program for thrips suddenly seemed to be failing. After a (too long) investigation by  myself, the grower, and consultants, we found out the horrible truth: their predatory mites were being MURDERED (Duh dun DUHNNN!)… By improper storage.

This post focuses on all the ways YOU might also be guilty of mite murder, and how to make sure your mites are still alive and kicking in those little sachets.

(And yes, I’ve stooped to the level of click-bait titles).

Continue reading “2017 Update: 4 Ways You May Be Killing Your Predatory Mites, and How to Check!” →

Accessing Info on GH Floriculture Pesticides Quickly and Easily

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An snapshot of Health Canada’s new Pesticide Labels App for Droid or Apple phones.

Ever needed just to quickly look up a rate for a particular pesticide, or see if it’s compatible with your bio program, only to get lost on Google or get frustrated by the numerous tables in Pub 370?  Well, me too.

Read on for resources to make accessing pesticide information quicker and easier for Ontario’s floriculture sector.

These include a new mobile app for ALL registered pesticides, as well as a downloadable spreadsheet you can tailor to your needs.

Continue reading “Accessing Info on GH Floriculture Pesticides Quickly and Easily” →

4 Ways You’re Accidentally Killing Your Predatory Mites!

PowerPoint PresentationNOTE: This is a re-post because it now comes with an awesome new video of how to monitor you mite sachets! 

Recently, I had an interaction with a grower where their long-standing biocontrol program for thrips suddenly seemed to be failing. After a (too long) investigation by  myself, the grower, and several consultants, we found out the horrible truth: their predatory mite were being MURDERED (Duh dun DUHNNN!)… By improper storage.

This post focuses on whether YOU might also be guilty of mite murder. (And yes, I’ve stooped to the level of click-bait titles).

Special thanks to Graeme Murphy (BioLogical Consulting)  Dave Neal (Koppert), Rose Buitenhuis (Vineland Research and Innovation Centre) and especially Ronald Valentin (BioWorks) for all their knowledge that went into this post!

Continue reading “4 Ways You’re Accidentally Killing Your Predatory Mites!” →