By Scott Armstrong, Central Region Technical Sales Manager

As we move into the fall and winter months it is more important than ever to provide your crops with the protection against diseases such as Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Cylindrocladium and Thielaviopsis.
 

Using RootShield®, you can provide your crops with the insurance of 10-12 weeks of preventative protection with just one application for less than 2¢ per 6" pot. You'll also save on labor costs because you only need 1 application every 3 months vs. drenching every 3-4 weeks with other standard inputs.

Here are some key crops that could use RootShield this month:

#1: Poinsettias

An application of the RootShield WP (drench) during the month of October will provide you with root disease protection as a preventative through the shipping period. If this is your initial RootShield application, use the recommended rate of 4 oz/ 100 gallons. If this is your second application you need only to use half the rate (2 oz/ 100 gallons). RootShield will provide poinsettias with stronger roots that are disease free, thus assuring better performance during the shipping and post harvest period of this crop. See Poinsettia Disease & Insect Program.

#2: Easter Lilies

There are several ways you can apply RootShield to this crop. The most important time to apply RootShield is early in the production before disease becomes apparent. Apply early and get the protection in place to help assure that you have a successful crop. Through RootShield you will have a vigorous and healthy root system that will help create a plant that is strong and at full spec. See 2012 Easter Lily Program and  Bulb Protection/Maintenance Program

#3: Early Spring Crops

As your poinsettias and fall crops start to ship out, it is time to start filling up the space again. No rest for the weary! Plants that are not subject to stress of disease will grow faster and stronger, thus giving your healthier crops and quicker turns. Consider using RootShield on all of your early spring crops See Spring Annuals Disease & Insect Program.

The bottom line is that fall and winter are times of heavy disease pressure. It is also a very important time when you are finishing off crops in 2011 and preparing for new crops in 2012. 

RootShield Benefits: 

• 10-12 weeks of plant protection with just 1 application
• Application costs less than 2¢ per 6" pot
• Labor savings through reduced drench applications
• 0-hour REI / OMRI Listed
• Available in WP and Granules

So end this year strong and begin next year with a proven winner. Partner with RootShield!