Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Red Lands Roses Ltd is one of the few cut flower production market leaders practising environmentally intelligent farming by having all of the 28 Ha flower production units under Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally friendly approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices and non-polluting techniques. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage using the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. The potential damage of pests is assessed to determine the most appropriate pest control decisions.

Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms require control. Many organisms are innocuous and some are even beneficial. IPM programs work to monitor for pests and identify them accurately. This commonly referred to as IPM scouting removes the possibility that wrong kind or unnecessary pesticide will be used. As a first line of pest control, IPM programs work to manage the crop to prevent pests from becoming a threat. This may mean using cultural methods, such as selecting pest-resistant varieties, and planting pest-free root stock. There is diverse and immense use of biological control agents for management and control of various rose flower problems such as but not limited to:

1. Phytoseiulus persimilis against the Red spider mites
2. Amblyseius cucumeris against the Thrips
3. Trichoderma asperellum against the soil/substrate born root diseases
4. Bacillus subtillis against the various fungal diseases on the leaves
5. Metarhizium anisopliae against the Thrips
6. Ambyseius californicus

These control methods can be very effective and cost-efficient and present no risk to people or the environment.