Matt LaScala
Botanist
Adakai
Phoenix, AZ
For most growers, transitioning into the summer months means the start of the most problematic season, especially in the Southwest where average summer temperatures regularly jump well into the triple digits. It is felt by indoor and outdoor cultivators alike. Summer accelerates everything: insect pressure, heat stress (temperature) and, if left unchecked, net photosynthesis.
Summertime separates the prepared from the lucky, and the proactive from the reactive, especially when it comes to integrated pest management. The cornerstone of any effective IPM program is scouting and monitoring, but that is only half the battle. How and when you react once identification has taken place are important steps to ultimately solving the issue. For example, mite activity noticed in December would warrant a very different response than mite activity noticed in, say, June — not necessarily in how one would go about treating the pests, but in understanding how environment along with treatment can become so much more impactful on the plant level.
Staying in tune with one’s garden is by far the easiest way to guide decision-making when it comes to seasonal fluctuations. Strategically timed, small adjustments are often much more impactful than large-scale “maneuvers” once a problem is noticed. We encourage all employees to always propose a solution and identify a cause when assessing a problem, not only to ensure timely remedy, but to also reinforce the importance of being creative and flexible.