Greenhouse Management: What trends do you see in the overall calibrachoa market?

Mike Fernandez, market manager — North America: The trend is to breed for early to flower varieties that have tighter internodes to promote more flowering and better branching. Also, breeding for pH sensitivity and always for larger more colorful flowers. All these things will provide a better experience for the end consumer.

GM: What sets Danziger calibrachoa breeding apart from the others?

MF: I believe what sets Danziger apart from others is the location of our breeding. All varieties are bred in Israel and this gives us an advantage for heat tolerant varieties. I also believe that our trialing and testing process around the world gives us more data before introduction. Having our own labs for diagnostics, TC supply and R&D is also a huge advantage. All of these things combined enable us to go to market confident in the introduction. Additionally, having our own supply chain for each market helps to add value for our customers.

GM: What exciting new innovations in this crop does Danziger have in the pipeline for the future?

MF: I believe one of the most exciting things is our initiative to breed controlled growth products. Controlled growth means a plant that grows and looks like it has had plant growth regulators (PGR) but it hasn’t. This will make easier to grow varieties for the grower and a better-quality plant overall. It also lengthens shelf life which is very important to both the grower and retailer. We also have more unique novelties in the pipeline. These are always appealing to consumers.

GM: How can a grower fit these products into their current offerings?

MF: The best way is through trialing. Danziger makes all varieties available for trial free of charge because we believe that this is the best way for the grower to know if it will work for them. Another important factor is for the grower to attend regional trials to see the varieties growing in their own area. Danziger is making a list of these trials available to all growers so that they will know where they can see our genetics at unbiased regional trials.

GM: What can growers do to finish the best cali crop possible?

MF: Although the breeding is for the varieties to be able to tolerate a higher pH, it is still important to know your water pH and alkalinity so you can make the best decision on fertilizer and acid injection as necessary. A good scouting program for insects and pH testing are also key. Knowing the finish timing, correct PGR rates for each variety, overall habit and vigor is all important for finishing a strong and marketable plant.

Greenhouse Management: What is Mural fungicide?

Nancy Rechcigl, technical services manager: Mural® fungicide is a broad-spectrum option for greenhouse and nursery growers to combat destructive diseases during all stages of production, but particularly during propagation. It is powered by two active ingredients: SOLATENOL® technology, an advanced generation succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor, and azoxystrobin, a systemic strobilurin fungicide. Mural is labeled to control more than 50 ornamental diseases, including Botrytis, leaf spots, rusts, powdery mildew and many soilborne diseases. Available to use as a spray or drench, it provides effective disease protection in propagation and after transplant.

GM: What are strobilurin fungicides and what plant health benefits do they provide?

NR: One of the two active ingredients in Mural, azoxystrobin, is in the strobilurin class of chemistry. Strobilurin fungicides are ACC synthase inhibitors that block ethylene production and can also provide plant health benefits. Azoxystrobin is systemic and offers xylem movement, meaning it is absorbed by the plant and translocated upward to protect new growth. In addition to its fungicide activity, azoxystrobin affects physiological processes that can result in plant health benefits such as lower transpiration rates, reduced ethylene production and increased nitrate reductase levels.

GM: How can Mural be applied?

NR: Mural offers flexibility by being available to use as both a foliar spray and drench. As a drench, Mural moves up the roots and into the foliage to protect new plant growth. Improved root development has been observed when Mural is applied as a drench to protect plants from root and stem diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Pythium spp. These benefits are due to positive effects on plant physiology, which can vary according to plant species and growing environment. By applying a fungicide drench of Mural during propagation, you can help prevent the onset of diseases while also experiencing the plant health benefits of its strobilurin chemistry. For added flexibility, growers can also apply Mural as a foliar spray, which allows it to penetrate and move systemically throughout plant tissue, protecting areas that may have been missed by the application, such as the undersides of leaves.

Learn more about Mural and its plant health benefits at GreenCastOnline.Com/PlantHealth

Syngenta does not recommend or endorse making applications solely for physiological benefits or using reduced rates (lower than labeled) for physiological effects.

©2021 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Mural®, SOLATENOL® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Greenhouse Management: Why did BioSafe Systems choose to discuss algae remediation for this piece?

ES: Algae can be ubiquitous in greenhouses and is exacerbated by high humidity, especially where I’m from in Florida. It is found in irrigation tanks, ponds, reservoirs nourished by the moist and damp environments. Outside of water systems, there are types of algae that develop on the greenhouse floors that can create hazardous conditions for employees. On the crops themselves, another kind of algae can spread from the racks, trays, pots to the soil at the base of the plant. Often different approaches are necessary for different types of algae and specific target areas. We’ve helped growers manage their algae issues for many years with multiple products for surfaces and for the plants themselves. We have products for algae control in greenhouses that cover and protect from top to bottom and treat irrigation systems too.

GM: BioSafe Systems offers multiple solutions, but is there a specific product you’d like to highlight?

ES: There are two that we would focus on for greenhouse use. The first would be ZeroTol 2.0 as a chemigation application for young plants. ZeroTol 2.0 can be injected at extremely low rates into propagation water, which helps eliminate algae on plugs, trays, and on the floors, benches, and walls of the facility. With an application via an injection system — which can be very simple to set up with a Dosatron pump — they can also treat the foliage, the plants themselves, and surrounding surfaces. The second option would be GreenClean PRO, which is a granular algaecide. Its focus is twofold, and it is excellent for treating algae on floors and other hard surfaces. If you have concrete walkways, ground cloth, or dirt, or gravel floors, the product has tremendous on-contact results. Additionally, some facilities have a 10,000-gallon water storage tank. When algae gets in there, we can treat those tanks with GreenClean PRO to kill the algae and still save that water for the plants.

GM: How do growers figure out what is best for them?

ES: All greenhouses could use GreenClean PRO because algae frequently grows on floors and it can be treated with a granular very easily. ZeroTol 2.0 is more for foliar sprays if a greenhouse has algae growing on plants, soil, or trays. Or if growers want to treat their irrigation water itself and spray the treated water to keep everything clean.

Greenhouse Management: What are some basic facts growers should know about aphids?

Mark Brotherton: Many different species of aphids attack ornamentals and they have a very short life cycle. Some species can be more crop specific, but other common species like the green peach aphid or melon aphid are broad feeders. They are relatively easy to manage if dealt with early on, but a population can explode quickly if not addressed. And while they are easy to control, aphids can damage plants quickly. Aphids can also be seen by the naked eye and, when found, they are often in colonies or large masses. And when they feed, they leave behind honeydew that can turn into sooty mold, causing the to be aesthetically unappealing.

“Scouting should also be done once a week, at minimum. This should not just be done for aphids, but other insects and diseases as well. It’s especially important for aphids because they can colonize and reproduce rapidly.” — Mark Brotherton

GM: What are some strategies for dealing with aphids?

MB: There’s basic IPM, sanitation, proper plant spacing. Aphids do prefer lush, healthy plants, so do not over fertilize your crops, that can be attractive to aphids. And be sure to scout regularly. You can minimize the damage and minimize an infestation of aphids if you detect them early and treat immediately. And then you have options of biological control agents. There are several pesticides that can control aphids and some of them are more specific and are compatible with beneficials for a conjunctive program. In our portfolio, Rycar and Hachi-Hachi SC both work very good to control all aphid species. Rycar, specifically, is softer on beneficials, and Hachi-Hachi SC gives you a one-two punch with your piercing, sucking insects as well as thrips.

GM: Should growers be more preventative or reactive when combatting aphids?

MB: Growers are going to have their own strategies and do what fits their business. At the end of day, in my opinion, preventative approaches are always better. Nine times out of 10, you’re going to spend less money and time combatting aphids (and other pests) and get a better plant in the end. You won’t have to worry about walking into the greenhouse one morning and find that your entire greenhouse is covered in aphids or another pest. Scouting should also be done once a week, at minimum. This should not just be done for aphids, but other insects and diseases as well. It’s especially important for aphids because they can colonize and reproduce rapidly. If conditions are conducive to aphid activity, you would ideally scout the facility twice per week to minimize the severity of an outbreak should you get one.