Flower care

Pests and Diseases Weeds are a serious problem in field grown cut flower crops. They compete for nutrients, water, space, and light. Fumigating the soil before planting helps to control weed seeds, insects, and some diseases. Pre-emergent herbicides are also available; check for phytotoxicity problems on your crops before applying. If herbicides are used, they must be applied accurately, at the right time, and at the right stage of weed growth for maximum effect. Always check the label for safety factors, target weeds and possible phytotoxicity problems. Never use the same sprayer for herbicides and any other type of spraying. Chemical weed control should be only a part of a full weed control program. Although it is time consuming and expensive, hoeing and hand weeding are also part of a weed control program. Organic mulching of the crop is another option; it acts to keep the weeds down, it retards soil drying, and as it breaks down it adds organic matter to the soil. Weed barriers are another possibility, many different types are available on the market. Usually they’re either plastic or paper. They have the added benefits of reducing soil splashes on flowers and leaves and reducing evaporation from the soil surface. You should be able to identify insects and know their life cycles so that effective measures are used at the right time to control the pest. Make a habit of checking each bed several times a week to try and catch insect outbreaks early. Make integrated pest management (IPM) a central part of your pest control strategy. The goal is to attain an acceptable level of insect control with the minimum use of pesticides. Montoring and record keeping are essential parts of IPM. One of the most important factors in controlling disease is to start with healthy plants. Practice good sanitation. Your fields should be free of weeds and crop debris. Water early in the day so that any germinating fungal sports will be killed by the sun. Use a plant spacing that allows for adequate air movement in and between plants. Dry foliage reduces the incidence of leaf spots and Botrytis. When harvesting, disinfect your tools frequently, particularly when working between different crops or production areas. If it can be avoided, never move from a diseased section to a healthy section. Boots and clothing can trap spores and weed seeds and then move them to new areas. Be familiar with the diseases that crops are the most susceptible to; know when outbreaks are most likely to occur and recognize early disease symptoms.