US (IA): Biocontrol at De Jong Greenhouses

De Jong Greenhouses from Iowa, USA, grow a broad range of quality potted floral products. Started by Martin De Jong, the grandfather of current CEO and owner Mark De Jong, the company started operations in 1933. Today it operates on three sites totaling about 12 acres, supplying potted plants, annuals, foliage plants, patio pots and hanging baskets to florists, independent garden centers and supermarket chains across Iowa and neighboring states.

Having successfully introduced bioprograms in key crops since 2008 (e.g. Gerbera, Poinsettia and Cyclamen) the management team is working with Biobest’s Technical advisor Veronica Cervantes to take these strategies a step further with Nutrimite.

Biocontrol
Sarah Gunn, manager/head grower at the Oskaloosa site, where the transition to biocontrol began in 2008, explains, “Gerbera, Chrysanthemum and Cyclamen are all attractive to thrips, aphids, spider mites and whitefly,” explains Sarah. “Our bio programs for those crops are quite similar. Key beneficials are Amblyseius cucumeris, Amblyseius swirskii, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Orius insidiosus and different species of Aphidius. We add Amblyseius californicus, nematodes and biopesticides as required.”
“Our Poinsettia bio program centers on A. swirskii and parasitic wasps contained in Biobest’s PoinsettiaMix to control whiteflies. If necessary, we use A. californicus to target Lewis mites and beneficial nematodes against fungus gnats.”

For more information:
Biobest Belgium N.V.
Ilse Velden 18
B-2260 Westerlo
tel.: +32 14 25.79.80
fax: +32 14 25.79.82
info@biobest.be
www.biobestgroup.com