How to implement IPM into your learning greenhouses
Finally the greenhouse season in winding down, now is the perfect time to relax….I mean reflect! What worked well? What should have been planted a little earlier…later? What did customers want, what did you sell out of first, what was thrown out? Heres a few of my reflections:
I hate petunias
I love how big my geraniums were
I hate the little pots my geraniums were in
I should have watched the students better planting snaps…disaster trays
Everyone wanted “Beefsteak” tomatoes
The tomatoes were too big
I was too early for everything
My god the bugs this year
Nows the perfect time to write down the good the bad and the ugly. I’m really hung up on the bugs this year. I have a about a 1,500 gallon aquaponic system with all sorts of fishies. Spraying anything gives me a little bit of anxiety for the fish.
I had aphids so dang bad, it came in with one of the plug orders; I couldn’t shake em. The consumed my petunias, moved on to the peppers, and finally all over the calibrachoa. It was a mess. I opened the greenhouse to customers and they understood the why, but I was still embarrassed. A couple of treatments would have helped. Attain TR, a go to; not for use around aquatics. Malathion, another got to, also not listed near aquatics. Its best to start early before this becomes a problem…enter IPM
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a systematic approach that combines various methods to control pests while minimizing their impact on human health and the environment. The steps involved in implementing IPM can vary depending on the specific situation and pest problem, but here is a general outline of the process:
Pest Identification: Identify the pest species accurately. This step is crucial as different pests require different management strategies. Observe their behavior, lifecycle, and the extent of the infestation.
Monitoring and Assessment: Regularly monitor the pest population to determine their numbers, distribution, and potential damage. Assess the economic and health impact of the pests to establish an action threshold.
Prevention: Focus on preventive measures to reduce pest problems. Implement practices such as proper sanitation, exclusion techniques (sealing entry points), and maintenance of healthy plants or structures.
Cultural Controls: Modify the environment to discourage pests. This may involve practices like crop rotation, choosing pest-resistant plant varieties, optimizing irrigation and drainage, and proper waste management.
Biological Controls: Utilize natural enemies of pests to regulate their populations. Encourage beneficial insects, birds, or predators that feed on pests. This can be achieved by creating suitable habitats, using biopesticides, or releasing beneficial organisms.
Mechanical and Physical Controls: Use physical methods to manage pests. Examples include trapping, vacuuming, handpicking, and employing barriers such as screens or nets. Mechanical controls are typically used for localized pest problems.
Chemical Controls: If necessary, judiciously use pesticides as a last resort. Select the least toxic and most targeted products. Follow label instructions strictly, and consider the potential risks to humans, non-target organisms, and the environment. Apply pesticides in a targeted manner rather than widespread spraying.
Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of pest monitoring, control methods used, and their effectiveness. This information helps in evaluating the success of the IPM program, making adjustments, and sharing knowledge for future reference.
Regular Evaluation and Adjustment: Continuously assess the effectiveness of the IPM program. Make necessary adjustments based on new information, changing pest dynamics, and feedback from monitoring. Implement an adaptive approach to optimize pest management strategies over time.
Remember, IPM is a flexible and dynamic process that requires ongoing attention and collaboration. It aims to find the most effective and sustainable pest management solutions while minimizing negative impacts on the ecosystem.
Here’s where I know we could have made some headway in my greenhouse. Arbico Organics is the real leader in this. There are bigger firms out there, Biobee, Biobest, etc. Arbico sells in quantities, and on subscriptions, that are in quantities that work well for our learning greenhouses. They’re a great source of information. I happen to really like parasitic wasps for white fly, and green lacewing for aphids. Arbico at first glance can feel a little too “organic” but these guys sell natural born killers. The carnage involved, too small to see, is amazing. A fun lesson is to look at the eggs cards after the wasps have hatched under microscope, and the aphids before they are eaten from the inside out. They’ll be on my “must order” list starting in December BEFORE I see the bugs.
We can of course do pesticide treatments for you, but taking an entire INTEGRATED approach to your greenhouse can save you a lot of time effort and money.
As usual, if you have an comments questions or concerns let me know!
- Georg