A sensible approach to plant protection

Every year is unique

Each year has its own climatic history, so plants and their diseases and pests develop differently each year. Sometimes, despite careful care, pest infestations occur and pesticides must be used. To keep their use to a minimum, it is worth taking some steps to prevent disease or pest infestation and to reduce the use of pesticides.

Plant protection using roses as an example

When selecting a rose bush from a nursery, look for disease-resistant and susceptible varieties. In addition to advice from a nursery expert, take advantage of valuable information on suitable varieties that can be found in special magazines or on the Internet. Quality marks such as ADR awards can also be a good guide. These varieties are characterized by health and stable growth.

The soil should not be dense in order to allow the rose’s deep roots to grow perfectly. A sunny but not too hot location will be optimal for healthy growth. A fertilizer that is balanced and adapted to the needs of roses promotes not only healthy growth, but also vigorous flowering. In addition, with regular removal of wilted flowers, fungi such as gray mold will have less chance to multiply.

Comprehensive pest control: The following methods are distinguished in horticulture:

• Plant cultivation methods, such as selecting or cultivating resistant varieties
• Cultivation methods, e.g. choosing a location, fertilizing
• Biological methods, such as using beneficial organisms
• Biotechnological methods such as traps, sticky tapes, pheromone traps
• Thermal, such as burning weeds
• Mechanical methods such as thinning weeds, collecting caterpillars