Halloween

BioWorks Bulletin

Info to Grow                                                                           October 2009

Greetings!

It's October!  Poinsettia growers are in the midst of their growing cycle and now Easter lily season is just starting. In this issue we've offered information on Botrytis control for your poinsettias, and laid out a 2010 Easter lily schedule. Be sure to check out Quick Links for some additional articles of interest in some recent industry publications.  (And Happy Halloween!)
Botrytis? Not on MY Poinsettias!
By Matthew Needham, West Reg. Technical Sales Manager
 

What is Botrytis?

BioWorksAs we enter the fall and winter months, Botrytis (Gray Mold) wants to establish itself in our greenhouses. Botrytis is one of the most destructive plant pathogens. It can cause browning or spotting of bracts, lesions on stems and leaves, and wooly gray fungal growth on dead plant parts. The optimum temperature range for growth is 70� to 77� F, but is capable of growth between 28� and 90� F. The fungus causes the most problems under conditions of moderate temperature and high humidity.

 

How do you combat it?

Botrytis produces numerous asexual spores (conidia) that are moved about by air currents. It is important to remove old plant tissue from tables and floors, remove infected plants throughout the crop cycle. In addition, you should treat the crop early with a preventative fungicide. 

 

CEASE� is an effective alternative to synthetic chemicals for the control of Botrytis and other fungal and bacterial diseases. It contains natural antifungal and antibacterial compounds with multiple modes of action to destroy pathogens. CEASE can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in rotation with synthetic and biological crop protection products. It is a valuable addition to any disease control program where resistance development is a concern.

 

CEASE has proven efficacy against both fungal and bacterial pathogens, is OMRI-approved for organic use, has only a 4-hr REI and leaves virtually no residues on plant foliage or flowers.

 

CEASE is an important tool in the toolbox for poinsettia growers. Use CEASE and enjoy your growing success.
Easter Lily Bulbs are Coming!  Treat early for best Pythium protection.
By Rich Reineke, Midwest Technical Sales Manager
 
Easter 2010:  April 4 
Easter Lily_smIt's mid-October, and you should be receiving your Easter lily bulbs any day! Treat them early for Pythium protection. Whether you're case cooling or pot-cooling, RootShield provides long lasting root protection. Just one treatment provides bulbs with 12 weeks of protection not only for Pythium, but also for other root diseases like Fusarium and Rhizoctonia.  Keep the basal and stem roots healthy so they grow to their full potential!
 
2010 Easter Lily Schedule

POT-COOLED
Mid-Oct:  Dust or dip bulbs with RootShield WP before planting (dip: 8oz/20gal; dust: 1/2-1lb/100lbs of bulbs), pot up bulbs in media with RootShield Granules incorporated (1.25lbs/cu.yd.), OR drench with RootShield WP (4oz/100 gal.) after planting. Then allow them to grow at 60� - 62�F for up to 3 weeks for rooting before vernalization.
 
Oct/Nov:  Cool bulbs at 40� - 45�F for 6 weeks to satisfy the vernalization requirement.

Dec:  Begin forcing lilies in greenhouses no later than 14 weeks before Easter.  Pull from the cooler and drench with 4oz/100 gal. RootShield WP if not already treated.
 
Feb 1:  To continue protection, re-treat with a RootShield WP drench at 2oz/100gal (1/2 rate).

Feb 21:  Flower buds should be visible on most plants 6 weeks ahead to be ready for Easter - April 4, 2010.
 
CASE-COOLED 
Dec:  Dust or dip bulbs with RootShield WP prior to planting (dip: 8oz/20gal; dust: 1/2-1lb/100lbs of bulbs), pot up bulbs in media with RootShield Granules or drench with 4oz/100gal of RootShield WP after planting. Begin forcing lilies in greenhouses no later than 14 weeks before Easter.
 
Feb 1:  To continue protection, re-treat with a RootShield WP drench at 2oz/100gal (1/2 rate).
 
Feb 21:  Flower buds should appear 6 weeks ahead to be ready for Easter - April 4, 2010
 
 
 
In This Issue
Botrytis? Not on MY Poinsettias!
Easter Lily Schedule
Bacterial Soft Rot on Poinsettias
Quick Links
 
Resistance Managemt of Arthropod Pests
Dr. Raymond Cloyd discusses resistance in an article in October's American Nurseryman. 
 
Preventing Pythium Root Rot on Poinsettias
 Univ. of MD plant pathologist, Karen Rane, advises poinsettia growers that controlling pythium root rot on their plants takes an integrated approach in this GMPro 9/25/09 article
 
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Visit BioWorks at These Upcoming Events:
 
East Texas Nursery & Greenhouse Conference
 Tyler, TX - Oct. 28
 
 Poinsettia Field Trials at Univ. of FL - Gainesville
 
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Bacterial Soft Rot on Poinsettias
Visit Greenhouse Growers GGTV-Floricast webpage for helpful information on greenhouse production issues, such as Bacterial Soft Rot on Poinsettias, by Margerie Daughtery.
 
To avoid bacterial soft rot in poinsettias, Daughtery makes several recommendations, including treating stock plants with Bacillus subtilis (the active ingredient in CEASE). 
Favorable Comments
Here is some great feedback we received from one organic vegetable grower. 
 
"We have used RootShield Granules for three years and it continues to control Phytophthora  in a very effective manner. Cease and MilStop are used to control and eradicate powdery mildew infestations in our chard and carrot crops. As an organic grower, we continue to have great success with BioWorks products." 
-- Robert McClendon, Peoria, AZ
 
From all of us at BioWorks, Thank you!
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