Biological control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in gerberas, chrysanthemums and roses

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), western flower thrips (WFT), is a major worldwide pest of vegetables and ornamental crops. The biology of WFT was examined on gerberas, chrysanthemums and roses in relation to plant stage (flowering and non-flowering), pupation site, soil moisture and plant parts often inhabited by adult and immature thrips. Four foliage thrips predators ( Transeius montdorensis (Schicha), Orius armatus (Gross), Mallada signata (Schneider) and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans)) and three soil predators ( Geolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini), Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) and Dalotia coriaria (Kraatz)) were studied to determine their ability to reduce the numbers of WFT on gerberas, chrysanthemums and roses. There was no difference in the number of adults that emerged from growing media of high or low moisture content on any host plant. There were also no differences in the total numbers of WFT recaptured from flowering gerberas, chrysanthemums or roses. However, about seven times the number of thrips were collected from flowering chrysanthemums compared with non-flowering chrysanthemums, indicating that the flowering plants were more suitable hosts. Of all thrips recollected, the greatest percentage was immature (larval and pupal) thrips (70%, 71% and 43%) on the flowers for gerberas, chrysanthemums and roses, respectively. The mean percentage of thrips that emerged as adults from the soil was very low (5.31.2, 8.52.9, 20.59.1 and 28.25.6%) on gerberas, flowering and non-flowering chrysanthemums, and roses, respectively. Simultaneous release of foliage and soil predators did not reduce the number of thrips beyond that caused by foliage predators alone. Of the foliage predators, T. montdorensis, O. armatus and N. cucumeris performed best, significantly reducing the numbers of adult and immature thrips on flowers and foliage by 30-99%. Further research is required to determine the most cost-effective rates of release in cut flower crops.

Effect of storage of cuttings on the rooting of different cultivars of cut chrysanthemums (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) for two different seasons

Chrysanthemums are commercially propagated through cuttings. Pre-rooting storage of cuttings in the dark is a common practice among growers and companies that work and trade with chrysanthemum cuttings. Therefore, the maximum storage period for cuttings and differences in tolerance among cultivars has been investigated. Adventitious roots of cuttings can originate in almost any tissue, including the epidermis, stem cortex and pericycle, ray parenchyma, immature xylem and phloem cells, and pith. The aims of this work were to determine the effect of time of cold storage of cuttings (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks) on the rooting of four cut chrysanthemum cultivars (Super White, Sheena, Dark Orange Reagan and Town Talk) for two seasons of the year (summer and winter), and also to determine the origin of root formation in chrysanthemum cuttings. The study was carried out as a randomized complete block design with 5 replications for each storage treatment. Each plot was comprised of three cuttings that were examined 14 days after the cutting procedure. During the winter, the roots were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the Electron Microscope Laboratory. The following conclusions were made: in winter, cold storage affected the rooting of cuttings, mainly after two weeks of storage for all cultivars. The rooting percentage was lower in the winter and the cuttings could be preserved for a shorter period. The source and growth of roots in chrysanthemum cuttings was found to be endogenous. After three days, callus formed in the pericycle and the first emergence of adventitious roots occurred by the fourth day of rooting. During the summer, cold storage could be up to 4 weeks without any problems.

Im Zeichen des Chrysanthemums

Von D. Grothe

Im Zeichen des Chrysanthemums : Schluss

Von D. Grothe

Yellow chrysanthemums, Japanese serenade for the pianoforte, op. 2, no. 3.

Mode of access: Internet.

Jubako (food boxes) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums

Shibata Zeshin; 1 ft. 4 1/2 in.x 9 1/64 in.x 9 39/64 in.; gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e on lacquered wood

Greenhouse and garden chrysanthemums.

Second ed. of Garden and greenhouse chrysanthemum by A. Laurie and D. C. Kiplinger, which was first published in 1930 under title: Chrysanthemums, under glass and outdoors.

Chrysanthemums Indoors. All arrangements by the author except plates 29 and 45.

All arrangements by the author except plates 29 and 45.

Jubako (food boxes) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums

Shibata Zeshin; 1 ft. 4 1/2 in.x 9 1/64 in.x 9 39/64 in.; gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e on lacquered wood

Jubako (food boxes) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums

Shibata Zeshin; 1 ft. 4 1/2 in.x 9 1/64 in.x 9 39/64 in.; gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e on lacquered wood

Jubako (food boxes) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums: heart-shaped Taro leaves

Shibata Zeshin; gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e on lacquered wood

Jubako (food boxes) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums: heart-shaped Taro leaves

Shibata Zeshin; gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e on lacquered wood

Jubako (food boxes) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums

Shibata Zeshin; gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e on lacquered wood

Jubako (food boxes) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums: detail of chrysanthemums

Shibata Zeshin; gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e on lacquered wood

Chrysanthemums, a complete guide to their culture.

Mode of access: Internet.