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Warm Season Pests and Diseases
| | | Beetle damage on sunflower |
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- Though the spring crops rarely have any problems except poor drainage, the rest of the warm season sees the same leaf spots and insect damage also seen on vegetables.
- Foliage diseases are not much of a problem in cuts because flowers are rarely affected and most of the leaves will be stripped off and discarded when the flowers are sorted.
- As summer sets in, insects will begin to affect sunflowers, celosias and snaps. The problems will continue through the fall.
- Scout for petal-eating beetles and aphids on the sunflowers. Aphids will deform and discolor the few top leaves that will be left on the stem. Spray a good basic insecticide when aphids are first sighted on the undersides of the leaves.
- The beetles will wait until the petals of the flower head unfold, then start removing the petals. Spray or try to harvest the flowers before they are damaged.
- Gladiolas are beloved by thrips, which stipple the leaves and cause the edges of the petals to have a burnt look. Give glads a regular preventive spray of Malathion, or use a systemic insecticide applied to the soil.
- Celosias and snaps are attacked by caterpillars as the weather warms. Either give the celosias and snaps a preventive spray of Bt or watch for the clouds of small brownish moths that will land on the celosias.
- Spray the moths with insecticide before they lay their eggs. Hand-stripping and washing every flower stem is much too time-consuming for commercial production.
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| Posted on: 7/13/2007 12:04:13 PM |
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