WK16

Over the weekend we had some recored breaking temperatures for April and as a result we were expecting to find higher pest numbers in the greenhouses this week. Thrips numbers on the sticky cards were higher but more noticeable were the spider mite affected plants. Most of the plants previously flagged for spider mites had noticeable infestation due to the warm weather the week prior. In warm conditions spider mites can take over a small plant in less than two weeks.

In the pictures below you can see a hydrangea plant that is fighting a spider mite infestation. The mites have moved from under the leaves to the new flower heads emerging. At this stage chemical intervention is needed in order to have a chance at saving the flowers that are about to emerge. Bios will not be able to catch up and control the pest infestation fast enough.