Author Archives: viridaxis

Yves Hendrickx, director of PPK (Research station for organic soft fruits) at Pamel

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The PPK (Provinciaal Proefcentrum voor Kleinfruit, Pamel) in Belgium is an experimental station specialised in organic soft fruit production. In 2013, FresaProtect was used in a tunnel with the junebearer Candiss, an aphid sensitive strawberry variety. Releases started preventively in March just after covering the tunnels. The tubes were installed in the tunnel with the new hanging release devices to avoid predation by ants. Three species of aphids were observed in the crop (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, Acyrtosiphon malvae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae). All were perfectly controlled and mummies from three different types (Praon volucre, Aphidius sp. and Aphelinus abdominalis) were found in the plot. No aphid damage was recorded until the end of harvest. Retrospectively, Yves Hendrickx, director of the PPK, says: « I am very pleased with the efficacy of FresaProtect. On the tested variety (Candiss), you must always fear aphid problems, even if the general pressure is low. Thanks to FresaProtect, those aphids were perfectly controlled. Without any doubt, I will continue to use FresaProtect in our strawberry trials in the future. »

Joris Volckaert

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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.

The nursery Hanka

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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. “