Nursery Production Competencies 33.00-36.00

What is Nursery Production? The growing of plants in controlled environments (or nurseries). Nurseries are places where plants, shrubs, and ornamental trees are grown for transplanting into landscape areas.

Field Grown vs. Container

Field Grown vs. Container Field grown production is being replaced by container grown plants because there is less shock to the plant. Plants are easier to move. Retailers can keep plants longer before selling Insects, diseases, fertility and pH are easier to control in uniform media.

Field Grown vs. Container Container grown plants have some disadvantages such as requiring more water becoming pot-bound requiring winter protection for cold climates having a higher start-up cost.

Field Grown vs. Container Types of plants grown in containers vary from ground covers to trees Proper selection of containers should include several considerations such as Cost Durability Appearance Insulation value to plant roots Shape Drainage Size

Growing Container Plants Either sell or transplant to a larger container when the plant reaches maximum recommended size for the current container.

Potting Nursery Plants

Potting Nursery Plants Growing mixes (media) should provide adequate drainage and aeration. Container media must be more porous than media for field-grown crops.

Potting Nursery Plants Space plants so that the tips of the branches almost touch those of other plants. Containers will have to be moved as plants get larger.

Potting Nursery Plants Place plant in the center of the container if only one plant is used. Evenly space the plants in the container if more than one plant is used.

Potting Nursery Plants Plant in containers at the right depth Planting depth varies depending upon the type of plant.

Watering

Watering Nursery Plants Water as needed to grow quality plants.

Tips on Watering Watering is more important for container grown plants than field-grown plants because roots can go no deeper or spread any wider than the container. Plant containers are above the ground and will dry quicker.

Tips on Watering Plants should be watered until the water runs through the hole in the bottom of the container. A gallon container needs about a pint of water at each watering.

Factors that Affect Watering

Weather Plants require more water in dry, windy, hot weather

Plant Growth Plants need more water in active growth and flowering stage

Media More porous mix requires more watering

Kind of Plant Broadleaf evergreens require more water than narrowleaf

Size of Container Small ones dry out faster

Type of Container Fiber or pressed paper dry faster than plastic

Surface Mulch Mulch helps reduce need to water

Fertilizing Nursery Crops

Fertilization Fertilization should be done on a schedule based on each type of plant grown Some media have fertilizer in them Nutrients have to be added to supply needs of growing plants

Liquid Fertilizer Liquid fertilizer used in watering is applied at a rate of 100 to 150 ppm (parts per million) of nitrogen Periodic liquid fertilizing every two to three weeks is applied at a rate of 300-500 ppm nitrogen

Slow-Release Fertilizers Slow-release fertilizers such as Osmocote and Magamp are mixed in potting media

Fertilizing Containers Plants kept in containers more than one year require additional fertilizer at the rate of one teaspoon of 18% nitrogen for each gallon of container capacity and should be watered thoroughly after fertilizing.

Tips on Fertilizing Plants should be observed and fertilization changed as plant foliage shows a need for either more or less fertilizer.

Pruning

Why Prune? To shape the plant To make the plant more compact To train the growth or form of the mature plant (central leader or many stems) To remove dead or diseased parts

Time for Pruning The best time is immediately after planting and during the growing season May be done in winter in temperate climates

Methods of Pruning Hand pruners Electrical, battery, or gasoline powered pruners Chemicals to kill buds of plants