Nursery Production 3 02 Understand nursery production and

Nursery Production 3. 02 – Understand nursery production and marketing techniques

Types of Plants for each Trees-containers, PNP, B&B (balled and burlapped), bareroot p Shrubs- container, PNP, B&B p Perennials-container, PNP p

Propagation p Sexual (seed) n n p Stratification-chilling seeds to stimulate winter conditions before germination (Ex: Baptisia and daylily) Scarification- breaking of the seed coat (Ex: redbud and maples) Asexual n Cuttings

Propagation p Asexual n Cuttings Softwood (herbaceous) cutting-leaf, pieces of the stem or roots from nonwoody plants. Cuttings are taken late spring through early summer p Hardwood cutting- pieces of stem from woody plants. Cuttings are taken fall through winter p n Grafting-joining separate plant parts together to form a union and grow Scion-top portion of the graft p Rootstock-root or bottom portion of the graft p

Propagation p Asexual n n Budding-a form of grafting when a bud is used instead of scion Layering- forcing roots to grow on the stem of the plant while it is still attached to the parent plant

Soil for Containers Media must be porous p Soilless media p n Peat Partially decomposed material mined from swamps p Good moisture holding capacity p n Perlite Natural volcanic material that helps aerate the soil p Good moisture holding capacity p n Vermiculite Mica mineral matter used to start cuttings p Neutral p. H p Good moisture holding capacity p

Soil for Containers (cont. ) p Soilless media n Bark Ground pine or oak bark p Increases the porosity of a soil p n Amendments Lime-calcium and magnesium increased the p. H level of soil making it alkaline or “sweet” correcting the acidity of the soil p Fertilizer- adds macro and micro nutrients to soil p Wetting agents- increases water retention of soil p

Soil for planting in the ground Use native soil in traditional field planting p Tree and shrub roots need to grow in native soil p A soil test should be used to determine if soil amendments are needed p Soil amendment functions p n n p Increase water and nutrient holding capacity Improve aeration and water infiltration Soil amendment should be mixed with natural soil

Soil for planting in the ground p Organic-”fresh” organic material should be first composted n Sphagnum peat Dehydrated remains of acid bog plants p Holds moisture and are high in acidity p n n Grass clippings- add nutrients to the soil Saw dust- high carbon to nitrogen ratio; can make nitrogen unavailable to plants Compost- decayed organic matter, good fertilizer and soil conditioner Manure- adds nutrients to the soil, good moisture holding capacity

Soil for planting in the ground p Inorganic n n n Vermiculite- good moisture holding capacity. Perlite- good for aerating the soil. Pea gravel- good for heavy clay soil.

Planting p Containers n n n p Place one plant in the center of container Evenly space plants in container if more than 1 plant is used Planting depth is important and varies depending on plant material Field n n Determine the layout and spacing of trees and shrubs in the field Determine the equipment needs of field grown plants

Water p Container and PNP n n n 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 It is best to water container plants in the morning for maximum absorption, however, some may need to be watered more than once a day depending on the weather Should be watered until water runs through holes in bottom of pot

Water p Container and PNP n n A gallon container needs about a pint of water at each watering Require more water in dry, hot, windy, weather Need more water when actively growing and flowering Do not allow any container plants to dry out!

Water p Field Grown n n Should be watered in the morning for maximum absorption A more porous soil needs more water than a clayey soil Watering for field production depends on the weather Require more water in dry, hot, windy weather Need more water when actively growing and flowering

Fertilizing schedule should be established for each type of plant grown p Scheduled periodic liquid fertilizing should be established depending on plants, soil, size, etc p Slow release fertilizers such as Osmocote and Magamp are mixed into potting media or top dressed on the soil surface p

Fertilizer Plants in containers for more than 1 year require additional fertilizer and should be watered thoroughly after fertilizing (varies on pot size and plant material) p Plants should be observed and fertilization changed as plant foliage shows a need for either more or less fertilizer. Tissue analysis can be done to determine deficiencies. p

Marketing

Develop a Marketing Plan Complete a marketing analysis (research used to predict the future of a market) to determine your target market p Once a marketing analysis is complete, determine what to sell p Know your competition p

Price your product p Use this formula to determine your price Materials + overhead + labor = selling price p Pricing may vary depending on availability of plant material in your area

Promotion Advertising p Public Relations p Personal Contacts p Communications p Join local and state associations p n p NC Nursery and Landscape Association Attend trade shows

Placement Providing a place that is convenient to the customer p Shipping, delivery, internet ordering or nursery pick up p