Poinsettia are being potted up and pest points are already popping up! Learn on to see what pests growers in Ontario are seeing, and what to do about them.
Bemisia Whitefly Points
Some years we see comparatively few whitefly are available in on the cuttings, which typically means biocontrol will probably be profitable during until sale. Years with heavier pest strain means you want to be additional diligent with scouting. If whitefly strain passes the “tipping level” (talked about in this publish), you may must think about pesticide functions beginning in late September/October.
This yr I’ve been listening to studies of typically greater whitefly numbers than final yr, with whitefly populations particularly concentrated in some pink varieties. So now is an effective time to brush up in your whitefly monitoring abilities – see right here for greatest administration practices on the subject of scouting Bemisia whtiefly in poinsettia.
Mealybug:
Though this pest was once somewhat uncommon on poinsettia (see this publish the place I first speak about discovering it Ontario), it now appears to be a extra common drawback. Citrus mealybug have already been reported in purple varieties this yr.
The best choice at this level within the rising season might merely be to throw out any contaminated vegetation (reducing trays or pots). Mealybugs don’t unfold plant-to-plant in a short time, since females don’t have a flying stage (sluggish meandering just for these guys!). By culling contaminated vegetation as quickly as mealybugs are detected, an infestation in a comparatively short-term crop like poinsettia can usually be eradicated.
Nevertheless, systemic pesticides like Beleaf (flonicamid) can successfully management mealybug, and shouldn’t intrude with a organic management program for whitefly management. Word that this chemical might trigger phytotoxicity in poinsettia if utilized greater than 1x per crop as a drench.
Thrips parvispinus
A few of you will have seen my earlier publish, the place a grower from Europe gave me a heads up that Parvispinus can assault poinsettia. This has now been confirmed on-farm in Ontario. Nevertheless, this was a case the place the grower had flowering tropical vegetation within the greenhouse instantly earlier than the poinsettia crop (versus the thrips coming in on cuttings). Thus far, the injury appears minimal and sprays haven’t been obligatory. However, should you had a Parvi drawback in your greenhouse this summer time, it is perhaps a good suggestion to offer your poinsettias additional consideration on the subject of scouting.
Different points?
Should you’re seeing some other points in your crop, let me know! You’ll be able to e mail me at sarah.jandricic@ontario.ca or depart a touch upon this publish.