A Detailed Guide to Pest and Disease Control in Florist's Cineraria
Florist's cineraria (Pericallis x hybrida), also known as cineraria, has brilliant flower colors, including the blue flowers rarely seen among flowering plants, and full flower heads, making it a representative potted flower of winter and spring. Because it is cultivated in greenhouses, where potted flowers are crowded together, and because of the high temperature and poor ventilation, favorable conditions are created for the breeding of pathogens and the survival of certain pests; at the same time, pests can also enter the greenhouse through vents and other openings, so from the seedling stage onward, attention must be paid to the control of the relevant pests and diseases.
1. Spider mites Spider mite damage to florist's cineraria begins in March, when the greenhouse is warm and dry. Overwintered female adults begin feeding and laying eggs at this time, and they usually cause damage around the main veins on the undersides of the leaves. On the upper surface of affected leaves, small greenish-white spots first appear, gradually turning red, while silk webbing appears on the undersides, and the damaged leaves eventually fall off. The earliest prevention should be carried out in winter: keep the area around the cineraria clean, promptly remove weeds and fallen leaves, check the potting soil, and eliminate overwintering pest sources. During the pest outbreak period, if the cineraria has not yet produced buds or bloomed, spray with a 2000-fold dilution of 40% dicofol emulsion or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate once every 7 days, for a total of 2 to 3 sprays, which gives fairly good results; if the cineraria has already produced buds and bloomed, try not to apply pesticides in order to avoid sensitivity in the flowers. You can rinse the leaves with water or remove the pests by sticking them off with chewing gum; you can also use the extract from natural plants such as garlic, scallions, and Sichuan pepper, mashed and soaked in water for several days, combined with an appropriate amount of neutral laundry detergent, for spraying control.
2. Aphids Aphids are small and reproduce quickly, and they mostly gather on the undersides of the leaves and on the tender stems of florist's cineraria to suck sap and cause damage. Affected leaves turn yellow and curl and wrinkle toward the underside. Generally, in years with a warm winter, an early spring warm-up, and even rainfall, damage begins in March. Because aphids overwinter on florist's cineraria as eggs, after inspecting the plants in winter, spray the plants with 5 degrees Baumé lime sulfur mixture to eliminate the overwintering eggs. During the aphid damage period, spray with a 1200-fold to 2000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% acephate. To avoid pesticide damage during the flowering period, botanical agents such as 3% natural pyrethrum, 25% derris extract, and 40% nicotine sulfate may also be used, all of which can be diluted to 1000-fold to 5000-fold solutions.
Pest and Disease Control in Florist's Cineraria
Florist's cineraria (Pericallis x hybrida), also known as cineraria, has brilliant flower colors, including the blue flowers rarely seen among flowering plants, and full flower heads, making it a representative potted flower of winter and spring. Because it is cultivated in greenhouses, where potted flowers are crowded together, and because of the high temperature and poor ventilation, favorable conditions are created for the breeding of pathogens and the survival of certain pests; at the same time, pests can also enter the greenhouse through vents and other openings, so from the seedling stage onward, attention must be paid to the control of the relevant pests and diseases.1. Spider mites Spider mite damage to florist's cineraria begins in March, when the greenhouse is warm and dry. Overwintered female adults begin feeding and laying eggs at this time, and they usually cause damage around the main veins on the undersides of the leaves. On the upper surface of affected leaves, small greenish-white spots first appear, gradually turning red, while silk webbing appears on the undersides, and the damaged leaves eventually fall off. The earliest prevention should be carried out in winter: keep the area around the cineraria clean, promptly remove weeds and fallen leaves, check the potting soil, and eliminate overwintering pest sources. During the pest outbreak period, if the cineraria has not yet produced buds or bloomed, spray with a 2000-fold dilution of 40% dicofol emulsion or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate once every 7 days, for a total of 2 to 3 sprays, which gives fairly good results; if the cineraria has already produced buds and bloomed, try not to apply pesticides in order to avoid sensitivity in the flowers. You can rinse the leaves with water or remove the pests by sticking them off with chewing gum; you can also use the extract from natural plants such as garlic, scallions, and Sichuan pepper, mashed and soaked in water for several days, combined with an appropriate amount of neutral laundry detergent, for spraying control.
2. Aphids Aphids are small and reproduce quickly, and they mostly gather on the undersides of the leaves and on the tender stems of florist's cineraria to suck sap and cause damage. Affected leaves turn yellow and curl and wrinkle toward the underside. Generally, in years with a warm winter, an early spring warm-up, and even rainfall, damage begins in March. Because aphids overwinter on florist's cineraria as eggs, after inspecting the plants in winter, spray the plants with 5 degrees Baumé lime sulfur mixture to eliminate the overwintering eggs. During the aphid damage period, spray with a 1200-fold to 2000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% acephate. To avoid pesticide damage during the flowering period, botanical agents such as 3% natural pyrethrum, 25% derris extract, and 40% nicotine sulfate may also be used, all of which can be diluted to 1000-fold to 5000-fold solutions.
3. Tussock moths The damage tussock moths cause to florist's cineraria is mainly by their larvae, often called stinging caterpillars. Young larvae gather to cause damage, chewing the leaf flesh and leaving the epidermis, which looks like a skylight; slightly larger stinging caterpillars disperse to cause damage, biting the leaves into notches and holes. The whole plant is damaged starting from the larger leaves at the lower part, and the peak period of the pest outbreak is mostly in April, when the greenhouse temperature stabilizes at around 20 degrees C. If chemical control is adopted, spray with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% fenitrothion or 50% phoxim. However, at this time the cineraria is usually in its flowering period, so only manual capture is relatively safe. It is worth noting that stinging caterpillars are toxic to human skin and can cause dermatitis, so you must wear gloves and use tweezers to catch them as a precaution.
4. Powdery mildew Florist's cineraria is most susceptible to powdery mildew, which is a widely spreading fungal disease. On the upper surface of infected leaves, white sticky material appears, and the leaves curl and become deformed, dying and dropping early. The simplest preventive method is to ensure sufficient light and timely ventilation. If the disease has already occurred, at the early stage it is necessary to spray with a 1000-fold dilution of 70% thiophanate-methyl solution or a 2000-fold dilution of 50% amobam solution; a 2000-fold dilution of 25% triadimefon wettable powder can also be used for spraying to control the condition. At the same time, cut off diseased leaves and destroy them, and separate diseased plants from healthy ones to avoid mutual infection and worsening the spread of the disease.
5. Root rot and stem rot In winter, the water in the potting soil of florist's cineraria is often slow to dry out, and poor drainage combined with insufficient indoor light and excessively humid air and other unfavorable factors will cause root rot and stem rot. They manifest as the roots and stems turning black and rotting. The control method is, first, to pay attention to ventilation and dehumidification after watering, and to increase light. Second, for cineraria that has just become diseased, cut away the diseased parts, apply sulfur powder, replace the soil with loose potting mix, and replant.
In short, pest and disease control in florist's cineraria should focus on prevention. Only by understanding the timing and patterns of the occurrence of the relevant pests and diseases and adopting correct protective measures beforehand can the damage from pests and diseases be reduced as much as possible and the ornamental effect of florist's cineraria be effectively improved.
Pest and Disease Control Methods for Florist's Cineraria
Florist's cineraria (Pericallis x hybrida), also known as cineraria, has brilliant flower colors, including the blue flowers rarely seen among flowering plants, and full flower heads, making it a representative potted flower of winter and spring. Because it is cultivated in greenhouses, where potted flowers are crowded together, and because of the high temperature and poor ventilation, favorable conditions are created for the breeding of pathogens and the survival of certain pests; at the same time, pests can also enter the greenhouse through vents and other openings, so from the seedling stage onward, attention must be paid to the control of the relevant pests and diseases.
1. Spider mites Spider mite damage to florist's cineraria begins in March, when the greenhouse is warm and dry. Overwintered female adults begin feeding and laying eggs at this time, and they usually cause damage around the main veins on the undersides of the leaves. On the upper surface of affected leaves, small chlorotic white spots first appear, gradually turning red, while silk webbing appears on the undersides, and the damaged leaves eventually fall off. The earliest prevention should be carried out in winter: keep the area around the cineraria clean, promptly remove weeds and fallen leaves, check the potting soil, and eliminate overwintering pest sources. During the pest outbreak period, if the cineraria has not yet produced buds or bloomed, spray with a 2000-fold dilution of 40% dicofol emulsion or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate once every 7 days, for a total of 2-3 sprays, which gives fairly good results; if the cineraria has already produced buds and bloomed, try not to apply pesticides in order to avoid sensitivity in the flowers. You can rinse the leaves with water or remove the pests by sticking them off with chewing gum; you can also use the extract from natural plants such as garlic, scallions, and Sichuan pepper, mashed and soaked in water for several days, combined with an appropriate amount of neutral laundry detergent, for spraying control.
2. Aphids Aphids are small and reproduce quickly, and they mostly gather on the undersides of the leaves and on the tender stems of florist's cineraria to suck sap and cause damage. Affected leaves turn yellow and curl and wrinkle toward the underside. Generally, in years with a warm winter, an early spring warm-up, and even rainfall, damage begins in March. Because aphids overwinter on florist's cineraria as eggs, after inspecting the plants in winter, spray the plants with 5 degrees Baumé lime sulfur mixture to eliminate the overwintering eggs. During the aphid damage period, spray with a 1200-fold to 2000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% acephate. To avoid pesticide damage during the flowering period, botanical agents such as 3% natural pyrethrum, 25% derris extract, and 40% nicotine sulfate may also be used, all of which can be diluted to 1000-fold to 1500-fold solutions.
3. Tussock moths The damage tussock moths cause to florist's cineraria is mainly by their larvae, often called stinging caterpillars. Young larvae gather to cause damage, chewing the leaf flesh and leaving the epidermis, which looks like a skylight. Slightly larger stinging caterpillars disperse to cause damage, biting the leaves into notches and holes. The whole plant is damaged starting from the larger leaves at the lower part. The peak period of the pest outbreak is mostly in April, when the greenhouse temperature stabilizes at around 20 degrees C. If chemical control is adopted, spray with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% fenitrothion or 50% phoxim. However, at this time the cineraria is usually in its flowering period, so only manual capture is relatively safe. It is worth noting that stinging caterpillars are toxic to human skin and can cause dermatitis, so you must wear gloves and use tweezers to catch them as a precaution.
4. Powdery mildew Florist's cineraria is most susceptible to powdery mildew, which is a widely spreading fungal disease. On the upper surface of infected leaves, white sticky material appears, and the leaves curl and become deformed, dying and dropping early. The simplest preventive method is to ensure sufficient light and timely ventilation. If the disease has already occurred, at the early stage it is necessary to spray with a 1000-fold dilution of 70% thiophanate-methyl solution or a 2000-fold dilution of 50% amobam solution; a 2000-fold dilution of 25% triadimefon wettable powder can also be used for spraying to control the condition. At the same time, cut off diseased leaves and destroy them, and separate diseased plants from healthy ones to avoid mutual infection and worsening the spread of the disease.
5. Root rot and stem rot In winter, the water in the potting soil of florist's cineraria is often slow to dry out, and poor drainage combined with insufficient indoor light and excessively humid air and other unfavorable factors will cause root rot and stem rot. They manifest as the roots and stems turning black and rotting. The control method is, first, to pay attention to ventilation and dehumidification after watering, and to increase light. Second, for cineraria that has just become diseased, cut away the diseased parts, apply sulfur powder, replace the soil with loose potting mix, and replant.
In short, pest and disease control in florist's cineraria should focus on prevention. Only by understanding the timing and patterns of the occurrence of the relevant pests and diseases and adopting correct protective measures beforehand can the damage from pests and diseases be reduced as much as possible and the ornamental effect of florist's cineraria be effectively improved.