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Keep pond algae under control

July 31, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Janine Heath

Keep pond algae under control: With mild summer conditions proving a catalyst, preventative action using cultural control methods is encouraged to effectively manage filamentous algae. Filamentous algae, known as blanket weed, begins life underwater forming visible mats of weed near the surface or clinging to plants after considerable growth below surface has occurred. Left untreated, […]

Reesink’s John Pike retires

July 30, 2020/in News, People, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Reesink’s John Pike retires: Reesink Turfcare has announced with sadness and genuine gratitude for the role he has played in the company, the retirement of regional manager John Pike. After 17 and a half years working with the Toro UK distributor and its predecessor Lely UK, and close to half a century working in the […]

Keep pond algae under control

July 31, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Janine Heath

Reesink’s John Pike retires

July 30, 2020/in News, People, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Keep pond algae under control

July 31, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Janine Heath

Keep pond algae under control: With mild summer conditions proving a catalyst, preventative action using cultural control methods is encouraged to effectively manage filamentous algae.

Filamentous algae, known as blanket weed, begins life underwater forming visible mats of weed near the surface or clinging to plants after considerable growth below surface has occurred.

Keep pond algae under control

Left untreated, this common weed spreads quickly and can cover the entire surface of a pond, reducing light and available oxygen leading to risk to aquatic life. At this stage, biological treatments will no longer be as effective.

Dr Abigail Graceson, Technical Manager for Agrovista Amenity said: “When filamentous algae are allowed to proliferate to the stage where the majority of the water’s surface is covered, our solutions are limited.

“That’s why it’s important to take a long-term approach to management. This includes reducing the use of fertilisers close to the water’s edge, increasing the amount of oxygenating plants, and creating a buffer zone around the edge of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants.”

Products which can help to manage pond algae fall into three categories – biological, enzymatic and physical. Biological products manipulate the aquatic environment through introduction of bacteria which feed on excess nitrates and phosphates in the water, reducing their availability to the algae.

Enzymatic products disrupt the molecular structure of weed, causing the plant to completely break apart.

Finally, there are two main types of physical products – dyes which reduce the amount of sunlight penetrating below the surface of the water; and products which capture the algae within a substrate preventing it from absorbing nutrients.

Dr Graceson recommends understanding why the algae is growing excessively in the first place, to help inform control methods and product selection. With no authorised traditional chemical control treatments, often physical intervention will be required once algae have become established.

She added: “Enzymatic products are likely to assist with the control of existing problematic algae, but most treatment options are most effective when applied preventatively, or at the very start of visible signs of excessive algal growth.

“If sufficient amounts of algae are removed through physical methods, such as through raking, then a bacteria-based product may then help with ongoing control.

“If you are concerned about removing aquatic creatures during physical removal of algae, leave the algae at the side of the pond for a short while so they can return to the water.”

For further algae control advice, contact enquiries@agrovista.co.uk

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Reesink’s John Pike retires

July 30, 2020/in News, People, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Reesink’s John Pike retires: Reesink Turfcare has announced with sadness and genuine gratitude for the role he has played in the company, the retirement of regional manager John Pike. After 17 and a half years working with the Toro UK distributor and its predecessor Lely UK, and close to half a century working in the turfcare industry, it’s certainly been an interesting career.

John first started work straight out of school and made the move to Triumph Motorcycles in the West Midlands, but after completing his engineering HND he soon realised he belonged in his home county of Dorset. He moved back and began working as a warehouse assistant at J.T. Lowes Garden Machinery, part of the Flymo company (the original importers of Toro), in what was originally meant to be a summer job, but soon saw him work his way up to trade and retail sales manager, and then area sales manager for Flymo in 1986.

Reesink’s John Pike retires

It wasn’t until 2001 that he joined the then Toro UK distributor Lely as a business development manager, and it was his passion for Toro machinery that inspired him to join, says John. “I had been involved with Toro since 1972, and enjoyed demonstrating the Toro70, 58, Trojan, GM3 and GM72 through the 70’s and 80’s and saw the brand develop and progress. I’ve always had faith in Toro’s quality and its place as an industry leader within turfcare.”

Coming from a consumer machinery company, John was one of the first to join Lely without full commercial experience. “I had to go from selling many thousands of inexpensive mowers a year, to selling hundreds of Toro machines at a much higher price point, so that was definitely a learning curve for me.”

But that didn’t stop John from making his mark with both Lely, and later Reesink, playing a fundamental role in the appointment of new Toro dealers and service centres in the South West region, a career highlight for him.

“I’m particularly proud of the work I did appointing service centres, some of which I had to really fight for,” says John. “And of course whenever I was able to convert a customer to Toro that gave me a real buzz. The harder the challenge, the more satisfying it was!”

John has seen many changes throughout his time in the industry, but the move towards finance deals he says has been the biggest. “It used to be that clubs would buy one or two machines a year on a rolling basis, which would mean they’d end up with a fleet of both brand new and 10-year old machinery! When I started, I would only get two or three fleet deals a year, and only really with the bigger clubs. Now, the introduction of finance options allow more clubs, irrespective of size, to secure fully modern fleets for course maintenance, which has been a really positive change to see.”

David Cole, managing director at Reesink says: “John has been the stable bedrock of our Midlands and South West regions forever, it seems. So, replacing him will be an obvious challenge – but he leaves his many colleagues and dealer partners in good shape for the next step. We wish John a long and happy retirement and thank him for his excellent contribution to the Toro profile and customer service in his region.”

John’s retirement plans have changed somewhat due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, however this isn’t going to stop him from enjoying all of his hobbies.

“Originally I was meant to be flying off to the sunny Maldives to spend a couple of weeks detoxing the workaholic out of me! But that will have to be postponed for now. Instead, I’m looking forward to enjoying my hobbies; shooting, water skiing, off-road driving and photography – definitely enough to keep me busy!”

Having “loved every aspect of the job” it certainly is bittersweet for John to be saying goodbye. “I will miss most the relationships I’ve made during my time at work. I’ve made so many friends, and I’ve had so many lovely comments and well wishes already from customers and colleagues alike. In return, I wish them all the best for the future.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Keep pond algae under control

Reesink’s John Pike retires

Keep pond algae under control

Reesink’s John Pike retires

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Keep pond algae under control

Keep pond algae under control: With mild summer conditions proving a catalyst, preventative action using cultural control methods is encouraged to effectively manage filamentous algae.

Reesink’s John Pike retires

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