A Biological Approach to Fall IPM ft. Koppert’s Phil Gerry

This Tech On Demand podcast episode is all about fall control, integrated pest management and implementing biocontrol strategies that work. Host Bill Calkins is joined by Phil Gerry, a Technical Sales Consultant for the Northeast Region covering six states for Koppert. Koppert is a global market leader specializing in biological crop protection and team members have joined the podcast before covering biological IPM for spring crops and strategies for hybrid and truly integrated strategies. Phil was lead grower for large nurseries and greenhouses in the Northeast and Northwest before joining Koppert in 2021 and brings an incredible amount of practical knowledge and creative strategies to the topic of managing key pests in garden mum and poinsettia production.

 

In this episode Bill and Phil discuss the spring production season before jumping into the main topic—IPM for crops produced in summer for fall and holiday sales. Phil explains the importance of understanding the compatibility of biological controls and traditional chemistries, as well as why it’s critical to define what success looks like for your greenhouse or nursery before integrating biocontrols. As he reiterated, when making a move to bio-based approaches, it’s best to start slowly—choose one crop or one pest and hone skills before moving on to a more comprehensive plan.

 

When it comes to biological controls for garden mums, indoor versus outdoor production must be considered and beginning applications in propagation is the best approach for various reasons Phill addressed. Key pests discussed include aphids, thrips, fungus gnats, whiteflies and spider mites. Moving on to poinsettias, of course the main pests (whiteflies and spider mites) require diligence, scouting and early preventative controls and Phil explained some of his go-to tactics. Be sure to listen all the way to the end of this discussion because these notes barely scratch the surface!

 

RESOURCES & PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

 

Koppert U.S.: https://bit.ly/4kR5r13

Koppert Consultants & Locations: https://bit.ly/455PYpp

Side Effects Guide: https://bit.ly/4kOoZmP

Isarid: https://bit.ly/4mASHxc

Spidex: https://bit.ly/4dHyf9S

Enermix: https://bit.ly/3SAoy3p

Swirski-Mite: https://bit.ly/3HEZOEI

Airobreez: https://bit.ly/3SAp815

 

2025 GrowerTalks Biosolutions Guide: https://www.growertalks.com/pdf/BioSolutions_Guide_2025.pdf