News » 27.10.2026 - Protecting flowers after temperature drops

As temperatures fall, flower growers may be tempted to ease off crop protection activities. But cooler conditions do not mean pests and diseases have disappeared. In the soil, plant debris and other protected areas within the growing environment, many threats can survive quietly, waiting for temperatures and moisture conditions to become favourable again.

For commercial flower farms, particularly those producing roses and other high-value cut flowers, the colder period should therefore be viewed as an important crop protection window. Acting early can reduce soil-borne disease pressure, protect plant health and give crops a stronger foundation for the next production cycle.

Soil is a living environment and can harbour pathogens capable of causing serious damage to flowers. Diseases such as Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia can survive in soil or crop residues and become problematic when conditions favour their development.

The risk is particularly important in intensive flower production, where crops may remain in the same growing environment for extended periods. A disease problem that is not addressed early can gradually build up and affect root development, plant vigour and ultimately flower production and quality. Cooler temperatures may slow the development of some pathogens, but they do not necessarily eliminate them. Instead, the period of reduced activity provides growers with an opportunity to reduce disease pressure before conditions become more favourable.
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com

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