Pest and Disease Control for Summer Flowers Must Come First

Leaves of a rose (Rosa) affected by brown spot disease

In summer, high temperatures and high humidity weaken the resistance of plants, and on top of that, certain pests and diseases multiply easily under high-temperature conditions, so the threat from pests and diseases is greater than in other seasons. Therefore, as summer arrives, pest and disease control becomes the top priority.

For people who grow flowers and plants, the first thing to be clear about is that diseases and pest infestations are two different concepts. Never use insecticides to prevent or treat diseases, and never confuse the two.

As temperatures rise and rainfall increases, infection by pathogens that easily cause plant diseases follows. In terms of disease prevention and control: we must always put prevention first and treatment second. Diseases arise very easily under conditions of high temperature, high humidity, poor ventilation and the presence of a source of pathogen infection. So for plants and flowers, whether grown in the ground or in containers, the first thing to consider is the ventilation and air-flow conditions, and then, according to the disease resistance of the flower or plant itself, selectively apply the right remedy for each disease. In mixing and using pesticides for disease prevention and treatment, we must take a scientific approach, mix strictly according to ratio and put prevention first. In other words, under high-temperature, high-humidity climatic conditions, even if no disease has occurred, fungicidal disease-prevention sprays must still be applied regularly.

In addition, for flowers prone to brown spot disease and anthracnose, such as roses (Rosa), azaleas (Rhododendron) and orchids (Orchidaceae), not only must prevention come first, but thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil and similar products must also be diluted with water at a ratio of about 1:400 and sprayed regularly on the plant foliage. Especially when the temperature reaches 25°C-35°C, or during the plum rain season when the air humidity is high, a spray must be applied once every 7-10 days.

After heavy rain, outdoor plants, even if they have already been sprayed with fungicidal disease-treatment solution, have had it washed away by the rain and must be sprayed again; this must never be neglected. Once a plant develops a disease, promptly prune off diseased leaves and diseased branches to prevent cross-infection. Otherwise, the onset of disease will not only lead to poor plant growth but even death.

Pest infestations usually occur because insect larvae suck and chew the branches and leaves. As the saying goes: "Weeds must be pulled while small, pests must be treated early." So older friends who love growing flowers and plants also need to know the exact timing of the hatching period of various pests, such as aphids, swallowtail butterflies, noctuid moths and red spider mites, and spray promptly. For all kinds of pests that harm flowers and plants, especially those with short reproduction cycles, in addition to timely pest control, pesticides must be mixed strictly according to their concentration and mode of action to avoid phytotoxicity. Because pesticides are relatively toxic, personal safety must also be kept in mind when using them: always wear gloves and a mask to prevent accidents. After spraying for pest control, promptly wash hands, face and clothing with soap.

For disease and pest prevention and control, in addition to chemical treatment, attention must also be paid to the environmental sanitation around the plants, such as surrounding weeds and dead branches and fallen leaves in the flower beds; these are the best places for pathogens and many pests to hide and breed, and they should be cleaned up promptly and burned in a centralised manner.

Summer Flowers: Pest and Disease Control Comes First

Leaves of a rose (Rosa) affected by brown spot disease

June 10 news from the China Landscape Web: In summer, high temperatures and high humidity weaken the resistance of plants, and on top of that, certain pests and diseases multiply easily under high-temperature conditions, so the threat from pests and diseases is greater than in other seasons. Therefore, as summer arrives, pest and disease control becomes the top priority.

For people who grow flowers and plants, the first thing to be clear about is that diseases and pest infestations are two different concepts. Never use insecticides to prevent or treat diseases, and never confuse the two.

As temperatures rise and rainfall increases, infection by pathogens that easily cause plant diseases follows. In terms of disease prevention and control: we must always put prevention first and treatment second. Diseases arise very easily under conditions of high temperature, high humidity, poor ventilation and the presence of a source of pathogen infection. So for plants and flowers, whether grown in the ground or in containers, the first thing to consider is the ventilation and air-flow conditions, and then, according to the disease resistance of the flower or plant itself, selectively apply the right remedy for each disease. In mixing and using pesticides for disease prevention and treatment, we must take a scientific approach, mix strictly according to ratio and put prevention first. In other words, under high-temperature, high-humidity climatic conditions, even if no disease has occurred, fungicidal disease-prevention sprays must still be applied regularly.

In addition, for flowers prone to brown spot disease and anthracnose, such as roses (Rosa), azaleas (Rhododendron) and orchids (Orchidaceae), not only must prevention come first, but thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil and similar products must also be diluted with water at a ratio of about 1:400 and sprayed regularly on the plant foliage. Especially when the temperature reaches 25°C-35°C, or during the plum rain season when the air humidity is high, a spray must be applied once every 7-10 days.

After heavy rain, outdoor plants, even if they have already been sprayed with fungicidal disease-treatment solution, have had it washed away by the rain and must be sprayed again; this must never be neglected. Once a plant develops a disease, promptly prune off diseased leaves and diseased branches to prevent cross-infection. Otherwise, the onset of disease will not only lead to poor plant growth but even death.

Pest infestations usually occur because insect larvae suck and chew the branches and leaves. As the saying goes: "Weeds must be pulled while small, pests must be treated early." So older friends who love growing flowers and plants also need to know the exact timing of the hatching period of various pests, such as aphids, swallowtail butterflies, noctuid moths and red spider mites, and spray promptly. For all kinds of pests that harm flowers and plants, especially those with short reproduction cycles, in addition to timely pest control, pesticides must be mixed strictly according to their concentration and mode of action to avoid phytotoxicity. Because pesticides are relatively toxic, personal safety must also be kept in mind when using them: always wear gloves and a mask to prevent accidents. After spraying for pest control, promptly wash hands, face and clothing with soap.

For disease and pest prevention and control, in addition to chemical treatment, attention must also be paid to the environmental sanitation around the plants, such as surrounding weeds and dead branches and fallen leaves in the flower beds; these are the best places for pathogens and many pests to hide and breed, and they should be cleaned up promptly and burned in a centralised manner.

Common Pests and Diseases in Summer Flower Production

  Flower (Flower ['flauə]; plural: Flowers) is a general term for plants grown for appreciation; it is a modified short shoot with a reproductive function, and there are many kinds.

  A typical flower, on a short axis of limited growth, bears the calyx, petals, and the stamens and pistils that produce reproductive cells. A flower is composed of the corolla, calyx, receptacle and stamens and pistils, and comes in all kinds of colours; some are very showy and fragrant.