Sanitizing surfaces is a critical step for greenhouse and nursery sanitation. This is particularly important for sites where disease was a problem in previous crops. Pathogens that cause plant disease can survive in debris, in soil, or on surfaces. Cleaning…
Blog Archives
Meso-Tunnels and Cucurbit Production
If you’re a vegetable grower, you’re probably familiar with high tunnels and low tunnels. But what are meso-tunnels? Each of these tunnel types are used to create a protective barrier between crops and the environment. “Meso” means “middle,” so meso-tunnels…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Wicked Whiteflies
As the name whitefly suggests, they are white, and they do fly, but they aren’t technically flies! Whiteflies are closely related to aphids, cicadas, and scale insects–the true bugs, or Hemipterans–not flies. These tiny pests are usually around 1/16 to…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Aphids Common in High Tunnels and Fields
A number of aphid species are now common and attacking various crops in high tunnels, as well as vegetables in the field. Aphids (Figure 1) feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts and produce large amounts of honeydew, possibly resulting in the growth…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Biological Pest Management in Kentucky High Tunnel / Greenhouse Tomato Production Systems
Kentucky producers of tomatoes in high tunnel or greenhouse production systems manage several key arthropod pests to maximize their yields and profits. An environmentally and economically sound management system for these pests is based on the following components: Sanitation and…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Clean Up High Tunnels Now to Reduce Veggie Disease Next Year
Numerous important diseases of vegetables can overwinter more effectively in protected environments like greenhouses and high tunnels, as compared to field environments. These include foliar diseases like leaf mold, gray mold, and powdery mildews. In addition, soilborne diseases, like root…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Watch for Thrips — They’re Abundant this Year
There have been several reports of high thrips populations attacking crops and bothering homeowners alike this spring (see KPN June 5, 2018, Thrips Can Be Cause of “Mystery Bites” and “Pool Miseries”). Despite their tiny size, various thrips species are…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Vegetable and Tobacco Diseases to Scout for: Botrytis Gray Mold
Kentucky vegetable and tobacco growers should be on the lookout for Botrytis gray mold. This disease may occur in fields under humid conditions, but it is most common in greenhouses and high tunnels. Botrytis gray mold can also affect numerous…
Watch for Mites in High Tunnels
There have been several reports of spider mites on high tunnel tomatoes this past week. This coincides with the onset of some much-needed warmer weather in the Commonwealth. Generally, higher levels of mites are more common with warmer weather. Ideally,…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Mite Management in High Tunnels
As the weather begins to warm, mite activity is likely to increase in high tunnels and greenhouses. Due to their small size and cryptic habits, it is usually easier to initially scout for signs of their activity, rather than trying…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Greenhouse/High Tunnel Pest Management: Getting Off to a Clean Start
Controlling arthropod pests in greenhouses can be a challenge since these protected environments provide ideal conditions for development of some common plant pests. Additionally, the structure itself excludes natural enemies from attacking these pests, allowing their populations to develop more…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Managing Aphids in High Tunnels and Greenhouses
One of the more common pest issues across a range of vegetable crops in greenhouses is aphid management. Vegetable production in protected environments is generally used to extend seasons and during these times of the year problems with aphids are…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
Diseases to Scout for: Pythium Damping-off and Root Rot
Extended periods of cool, wet weather this spring may have you noticing symptoms of a common pathogen infecting plants: Pythium. This water mold pathogen particularly attacks seeds, seedlings, and young plants (Figures 1 and 2). Pythium is present at low…
Mites/Miticides in High Tunnels
We are beginning to get some reports of spider mites on tomatoes in high tunnels. Mites are challenging pests to manage in greenhouses and high tunnels as they often go undetected when their populations are low. However, they reproduce quickly…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
High Tunnel White Fly Update
In the past week, there have been several reports of whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, and thrips attacking tomatoes in high tunnels or greenhouses. It is not unusual to have an upturn of insect activity in high tunnels as the season…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels, Vegetables
