Pest Control
Part 1 - Organic and Chemical Sprays

 

There is nothing more frustrating than getting a favorite plant from a friend or nursery and finding out that it's infested with insect pests, or even mildew. In enclosed systems like greenhouses or grow rooms this could spell disaster for existing plants. For this reason it is a good idea to quarantine all new plants for 1-2 weeks before introducing them into the growing area.

 

Quarantine

 

Prevention is always better and often cheaper than the cure. Create a separate growing area for plants that are acquired from time to time. It is a good idea to build a hydroponics system that is similar to the one that is used in the main growing area. This will prepare the plant for the main growing system. Once the plants have been placed into the quarantine area inspect the plant for insects, insect eggs, mite webs, mold and previous damage by insects and mold. Also, inspect the roots as pests will dwell there, too. The plants that are in quarantine should be inspected daily; as soon as a possible pest is detected the grower can eliminate it. Once the grower is satisfied that the plants are free from pests then the new plants can be introduced into the main growing system. Quarantine systems will help the grower to maintain a relatively pest free garden.

 

Growing Area

 

Growing areas that have no or poor air movement will have a greater risk of pest problems. Lack of adequate air movement allows for the development of a micro environment directly around the plant, as air will be warmer and more humid. This type of environment favors mildews and insect pests. The addition of circulating fans, such as oscillating fans, will eliminate these micro environments. This will not mean that a grower will not get pests, but will give the grower the upper hand in controlling pest outbreaks.

Leave these fans on 24/7, not just during the light cycle!

The grower should also separate their indoor garden from the great outdoors. Mildew and insect pests are waiting outside to get into a perfect environment. A ZoneMaster Damper will provide adequate separation from the outside. The ZoneMaster Damper comes with a transformer which can be plugged into the same controller that controls the exhaust fan, thus every time the fans exhaust the growing area the Damper opens and allows fresh air in. Feel free to put a screen in the intake of the ZoneMaster to act as a physical barrier to invading insects.

The humidity should be maintained between 45-60%. The addition of a dehumidifier should control this adequately.

If you are an indoor gardener who enjoys showing friends and family your growing area then make sure that guests to the garden wash there hands before entering the garden, mold is easily transferred via hands, clothing, and shoes.

 

Sprays

 

Adequate protection should always be used when using chemical and organic sprays, so use a mask and gloves. When spraying plants always do a full cover spray, meaning you should spray the top and undersides of leaves, stems, growing points and even the surface of the growing medium. Use Dutchmaster Penetrator with all spray mixes. This will help the get the spray mix into the leaf of the plant making it more effective in controlling the pest problem. Both Penetrator and Coco Wet helps break the surface tension of the leaf allowing the spray mix to completely cover the leaf surface (wetter/stickier) instead of it running off the leaf in beads. If any area is unsprayed it will allow the pests to return with greater speed. Customers will often say that certain products are ineffective, when in fact the application of the product was inadequate.

 

Organic Spray Program - Mildew

 

- or -

-or -

 

For best results choose two of the above and rotate applications.

Organic Spray Program - Insect pests

 

 

Chemical Program - Mildew

 

Sulfur Burner - Sulfur burners are extremely effective and will control mildew by increasing the pH of the leaf surface, thus making the environment unsuitable for mildew to establish itself. Vaporized sulfur has also been found to interfere with the eggs of most insect pests preventing them from hatching. Sulfur burners should not be used within 30 days of an oil based product being applied to the crop (e.g. Neem Oil, SM-90, Mildew Cure, Pest Out, etc.) or when the leaves are wet.

Sulfur Burners must be placed above the top growing point of the plants. Use the burner during the dark hours for 3 to 4 hours as a preventative measure, 4-7 hours as a reactive measure (1000 sq feet). Make sure that all oscillating fans and exhaust fan are turned off during this process. Only 99% pure sulfur can be used in this burner. Fill the metal cup half way with sulfur; do not over-fill as it will result in the sulfur boiling over.

When the burner is being used in the garden, the grower should not enter the growing area. Do not breathe in the sulfur vapor. It is best is if the room is left alone during hours of operation. It also helps to run the exhaust fans briefly afterwards. It may be necessary to spray plants down with water to wash off the sulfur before harvest, but this is seldom the case.

 

 

Chemical Program - Insect Pests

 

Fogger Programs - Severe Insect Infestations

 

This program will allow the gardener to gain complete control of the pest infestation. Release these foggers during the dark hours and ensure that the fogger is placed above the foliage. Leaves should not be close to the spout of the fogger as leaves can be burned as the fog is released. All exhaust and circulating fans must be turned off before fogging. Once the fogger is released leave the growing area for the complete duration of the dark cycle. Turn exhaust fans and circulating fans back on when the lights come on in the next light phase.

 

 

No one should enter the growing area when the garden is being fogged.

 

 

Always use protective clothing when spraying chemicals or even organic compounds.

 

Keep an eye out for our February Newsletter we will be discussing Natural Enemies, how to release them, how to look after them, how to order and what sprays can be used with Natural Enemies.