• A life-long commitment to help growers thrive with sustainable growing practice

  January 14, 2025

  that biological solutions work required a shift from a curative mindset to a preventive approach — aiming at a natural balance in their crops and how to [...] different crops. Our consultants have a long training period and their knowledge is continually updated.’ While Rianne is a specialist in our macro-organisms [...] up in a farming family, Rianne's father was a pioneer in using biological solutions for his crops. He also devoted half of his land to creating a tiny forest

• Infestation Levels in Tomato Crops: A Look at the Top Four

  June 6, 2019

  whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci ) is a problem all over the world. In greenhouses, greenhouse whitefly( Trialeurodes vaporariorum ) also forms a significant challenge [...] represents a particularly tricky problem. In subtropical regions, species such as Spodoptera , Helicoverpa, and Duponchelia often cause issues. It is a good [...] can quickly become resistant to chemicals. The spider-mite family is huge, but it is the two-spotted spider mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) that causes most

• Spidex Vital Plus – Effective spider mite control in a sachet

  over a longer period of time making it difficult for spider mites to escape the predatory mites easily. This strategy can be applied where it is needed [...] The sachet application is more time efficient, which offers potential savings on labour. Easy application Spidex Vital Plus is easy to use. Introduce the [...] Phytoseiulus persimilis to multiply in the sachet and disperse into the crop over a period of several weeks, extending the efficacy. Spidex Vital Plus has been

• A legacy of sustainability: Stolk Brothers and Koppert’s shared vision

  March 17, 2025

  to partner with Koppert is the company’s reliability and dedication to growers. “Koppert is more than just a supplier; they’re a partner in our journey [...] that a chemical-free plant is actually the healthier choice. If a predatory mite leaves behind some residue, it’s proof that biological control is working—but [...] plants and a more sustainable growing process. The road to chemical-free horticulture Looking ahead, Pieter sees a future where horticulture is entirely

• Swirski-Mite: the do’s and don'ts in a nutshell

  February 1, 2023

  control. If pollen is present, this can be done later than with flowers without pollen. Use your observations as a guide. Customization is essential – choose [...] product in a cool (10-15 °C), dry place for no more than one to two days. Use the swirskii predatory mites at the right time when the population size is still [...] means Swirski-Mite in bottles when fast action is needed or predatory mites in breeding bags for prevention and a long-term approach. Keep track of the effects

• Caterpillars: a growth explosion in the life of butterflies and moths

  June 30, 2023

  When a caterpillar is fully grown, it stops eating and looks for a suitable place to pupate, the process by which it uses its silk glands to make a cocoon [...] cause huge damage to crops. Of some species, a few dozen caterpillars can launch such a vicious attack on a plant within twenty-four hours that it’s no [...] themselves into a cocoon: some species drop to the ground and hide in a subterranean hollow, which they reinforce with saliva and silk threads. A pupa looks

• Towards a chemical-free future in agriculture: The vision of grower Koen

  l and organic is actually quite pleasant," he explains. He emphasizes that his approach stemmed from both practical considerations and a conscious choice [...] decided to find a balance between both approaches. This way of working allows him to gain experience in using biological crop protection . As a result, he acquires [...] acquires a lot of knowledge and is prepared to fully transition to biological crop protection when the government decides that certain traditional methods

• Podcast with Tech On Demand: A Biological Approach to Spring IPM, featuring Koppert’s Heidi Doering

  March 6, 2025

  Heidi Doering. Heidi is our National Ornamental Crop Lead and Technical IPM Consultant for the Midwest Region. She fills Bill in on what she’s seeing and hearing [...] across North America. Bill and Heidi discuss her role as a “greenhouse CSI” when walking into a facility and meeting with owners and growers. They touch [...] thrips hitchhiking their way North on tropical plants. It’s a riveting discussion that’s well worth a listen. Be sure to stay tuned until the very end! Heidi

• Getting a handle on the spider mite – how can you keep population development under control?

  March 3, 2023

  humidity is also important, as the spider mite like dry conditions. The spider mite lays more eggs when air humidity is low, so development is faster. [...] A spider mite attack can develop at lightning speed, leading to an ‘explosion.’ No need to worry! As a grower, there are ways to limit population development [...] control can also help. Temperature is the most crucial factor for population growth – the spider mite can develop at a temperature between 12°C and 40°C

• A viable alternative to chemical pesticides: Koppert’s natural enemies effectively control pests in outdoor crops

  August 4, 2023

  several other solutions is still ongoing. "We have developed a new and more cost-effective way to produce and package a type of beetle, a natural enemy of armoured [...] armoured scales in citrus. The result is a product that is both affordable and easy to use," explains Jenette. "Our next step is to conduct trials in other crops [...] and now also in outdoor crops. The use of natural enemies in agriculture is gaining traction. Improved packaging and new application methods are simplifying