Provisional Advice
General
Before starting the integrated approach, first check the history of the use of chemical agents in the past six months. Leave enough time after using Temik, Actellic, Decis, Splendid or Curater granulate. The integrated approach in chrysanthemums is currently being developed and advice may therefore vary from time to time in response to new insights. Consult your adviser for the latest news in this regard.
Measuring infestation level
Use yellow sticky traps to detect whitefly and leaf miners unless parasitic wasps are being used to combat aphids and/or leaf miners. For thrips, use the blue sticky traps. Hang up one sticky trap of each colour for every three enclosures, distributed left and right along the concrete path. Carry out weekly crop observations using the 'crop bike' or other tools. Thrips are found most commonly beside the concrete path due to bunching; spider mite generally first appears near hoist heating or heating pipes.
Teach employees how they can contribute in making these observations during their work in the crop.
Thrips
Start with clean plant material. To check this, shake trays of cuttings above a sheet of white or black paper.
In the second week of cultivation, spray with Vertimec, NeemAzal (winter) or Conserve (summer). Carry out one or two treatments, depending on the extent of the damage.
In cultivation weeks 3, 5 and 7 (+ 9 if appropriate), introduce Amblyseius swirskii, preferably by means of blowing: 100 predatory mites per m² each time. In cases where the 24-hour temperature is lower than 19°C, it is better to use a combination of A. swirskii and A. cucumeris.
If more than 10 thrips are found per sticky trap during cultivation, make adjustments using Mycotal + Addit, Botaniguard or nematodes (Steinernema feltiae).
Five to seven days before harvesting, spray with Conserve (winter) or Curater (summer). Carry out one or two treatments, depending on the extent of the damage.
Spider mite
Start with clean plant material. In the second week of cultivation, pre-spray with Vertimec (winter) or Envidor (summer). In cultivation weeks 3 and 5, introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis (blowing): 6-8 predatory mites per m² each time. Five to seven days before harvesting, spray with Masai or Milbeknock.