An advanced attack

Photo courtesy of Creekside Nursery

ADVERTORIAL

Creekside Nursery — a one-stop shop for landscapers and specialty retailers based in Texas — was originally founded more than 20 years ago to supply Founder Chris Richardson’s own construction sites. As an apartment complex builder, he needed plants to landscape his projects, so he hired on experienced growers to help him dive into the horticulture market.

Now, the Texas-based grower produces everything from 4-inch bedding color to edibles to ornamental shrubs and 200-gallon trees on about 450 acres. They’re working on adding 50 more.

Creekside’s diverse crop offering calls for broad-spectrum control, so they implemented OHP’s Sirocco miticide to control for mites (as well as aphids, whiteflies and leaf miners).

“During the summer months — we’re in the Houston area —we’ve got heat and humidity that hits all at once,” says Propagation Manager Jessica Lowery. “We struggle a little bit with the spider mites, and that’s what we’ve been leaning on the Sirocco for.”

When Creekside first incorporated Sirocco into the rotation, OHP’s technical representatives accompanied a sales representative down to the nursery to answer questions, help them make a smooth transition and teach them about other chemistries they could rotate with Sirocco.

Photo courtesy of Creekside Nursery

Lowery says the product is effective for control in the unfortunate case that an infestation does occur.

“Sirocco is one you’d want to have in the chemical barn because it will give you a knock-down for adults,” she says.

In addition to its prevention and control of spider mites, Lowery says that Sirocco’s unique mix of two active ingredients (Bifenazate and Abamectin) allows her to take care of mites and other insects at the same time. “The convenience of it is very good because whenever you’re mixing products together, there can be human error,” she says.

And with a 12-hour restricted entry interval, Lowery and her team can enter the greenhouse the next day and see results.

“I’ve been using it for a year and a half, and I’m seeing very good results with the young plant material,” she says. “It has that safe factor. It’s very effective without [causing damage] to young plants.” — Cassie Neiden