All production tools, dibblers, machinery etc. are sterilised with quaternary ammonium compound solutions between production batches. Our media area is very central in our nursery where space is at a premium. The media holding area is covered and built in such a way as to prevent dust and waste material from blowing or being carried into production areas. Weeds are controlled on all parts of the nursery. This helps reduce insect numbers and therefore minimal insecticide spraying is done.
Preventative fungicide spraying is done to control fungus diseases such as downy mildew.
In the past eight months we have been trialing biological controls on fungus gnats using predatory mites, Hypoapsis miles . This has been very effective. We use yellow sticky cards throughout the nursery to monitor for fungus gnats and other insect pests. Nursery hygiene is a number 1 priority in our nursery. It cuts nursery wastage through disease and poor quality therefore making the nursery more profitable.