Joris Volckaert’s nursery in Nazareth (Belgium) has 0.5 hectares of heated glasshouses. Joris grows a variety of houseplant species including Kalanchoë, Muehlenbeckia, Vinca Rosea (Madagascar periwinkle), Chrysanthemum and Poinsettia. Throughout 2012, Joris used OrnaProtect to control aphids in his most important crops (Kalanchoë and Muehlenbeckia). Several species of aphid occurred in these crops in the course of the year, but OrnaProtect kept all of them under control. The main advantage of OrnaProtect, according to Joris, is that his insecticide use has been greatly reduced in comparison with previous years. Any spraying carried out was localised. He sums up his experience as follows: “I am really pleased with the spectacular effectiveness and convenience of the product, although it does require thorough scouting and a change in mentality on the part of the grower”. He adds that OrnaProtect will be his primary method of aphid control in the future.

Hanka nursery in Kempen (Germany) grows several species of ornamental plants including white potato vine (Solanum jasminoides), Helianthus or Argyranthemum on an area of 3.4 ha of greenhouse. The company is characterized by a high interest in innovative and environmentally friendly technologies and invested, for example, in a geothermal heating and heat pumps. In 2012, Mr. Uellekes, responsible for the cultures of Solanum jasminoides, used OrnaProtect in his greenhouse of mother plants. These plants are extremely valuable as they provide cuttings for the entire production of Solanum for the company. Throughout the year, aphid attacks were well controlled and no insecticide against aphids was necessary. According to Mr. Uellekes, the system OrnaProtect is really attractive. Its use is very simple and fast. He adds: “The workers in charge of the harvest of cuttings are continuously in contact with the plants. Reducing their exposure to chemicals is one of our priorities. With OrnaProtect, we have significantly reduced the amount of insecticides used in this greenhouse compared to what we did in the past. Without any doubt, we will extend the use of OrnaProtect to other departments of our production. “

Peter Sprünken’s nursery in Straelen-Holt (Germany) is specialized in the production of Argyranthemum and seedlings of Cyclamen. In 2012, Peter Sprünken tested OrnaProtect in heated greenhouses in over half of his operation units. Attacks from the foxglove aphid and from the peach potato aphid on Argyranthemum were well controlled in the spring as were those of the cotton aphid on Cyclamen later in the season. In the greenhouse under conventional pest management, two chemical treatments were necessary to control aphids. Retrospectively, Mr. Sprünken said: “OrnaProtect is a really good concept. As I produce different plant species, several species of aphids can cause problems. This year, thanks to OrnaProtect, aphids, whatever the species, were no longer a concern. “

The city of Roubaix is fully autonomous for its plant production for annual and biennial flowering of public spaces. In its 4000 m² of greenhouses, it produces a large number of different species of ornamental plants. Since 2007, the fight against pests entirely follows the integrated pest management (IPM) guidelines. In this context, OrnaProtect was tested in 2012 on the entire surface of the municipal greenhouses. On the production of summer flowers (Ipomea, Ageratum, Argyranthemum, Swiss chard, Rudbeckia …), no insecticide treatment was needed. For the production of autumn flowers (pansy, dusty miller, common daisies …), OrnaProtect has reduced insecticide use of several generalized treatments usually to a single spot treatment. According to the site manager, Isabelle Chansellé-Becue, the results are really satisfactory. In addition to efficacy, she praises ease of use and the working comfort that it generates at the staff level. Without hesitation, Mrs. Chansellé-Bécue adds: “We had the chance to be the first municipality to test OrnaProtect and we will continue to use it in the future. It is a product that I also recommend to my colleagues for the benefits it provides and for its effectiveness. “