NURSERY PRODUCTION Objective Understand nursery production and marketing

NURSERY PRODUCTION Objective: Understand nursery production and marketing techniques

Types of Plants for Container, PNP, B&B, bareroot Container, PNP, B&B Container, PNP

Propagation Sexual (seed) Asexual Stratification: chilling seeds to simulate winter conditions before germination EX) Baptisia & daylilly 1. Cuttings Softwood (herbaceous): leaf, pieces of stem or roots from non-woody plants. Taken late spring-early summer. Hardwood: pieces of stem from woody plants. Taken fall-winter. Scarification: breaking of the seed coat EX) Redbud & maples 2. Grafting- joining plant parts together to form a union and grow Scion- top portion of the graft Rootstock- root or bottom portion of the graft 3. Budding- a form of grafting when a bud is used instead of a scion 4. Layering- forcing roots to grow on the stem of the plant while it is still attached to the parent plant

Soil for Containers Peat Perlite Vermiculite Bark Amendments Partially decomposed material mined from swamps Natural volcanic Mica mineral material that matter used to ehlps aerate start cuttings the soil Ground pine or oak bark Lime: calcium and magnesium increased the p. H level of soil making it alkaline or “sweet” correcting the acidity of the soil Good moisture holding capacity Increases the porosity of a soil Fertilizer: adds macro and micro nutrients to the soil Neutral p. H Good moisture holding capacity Wetting agents: increases water retention of the soil

Soil for Planting in the Ground • Use native soil in traditional field planting • Tree and shrub roots need to grow in native soil • A soil test should be used to determine if soil amendments are needed • Soil amendment functions • 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 Organic- “fresh” organic material should be first composted Inorganic 1. Sphagnum peat- dehydrated remains 1. Vermiculite- good moisture holding of acid bog plants, holds moisture and capacity are high in acidity 2. Perlite- good for aerating the soil 2. Grass clippings- add nutrients to the 3. Pea gravel- good for heavy clay soil 3. Saw dust- high carbon to nitrogen ratio, can make nitrogen unavailable to plants 4. Compost- decayed organic matter, good fertilizer and soil conditioner 5. Manure- adds nutrients to the soil, good moisture holding capacity

Planting CONTAINERS • Place one plant in the center of the container • Evenly space plants in the container if more than one plant is used • Planting depth varies depending on plant material FIELD • Determine the layout and spacing of trees and shrubs in the fields • Determine the equipment needs of field grown plants

Water Container & PNP 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Watering is more important for container grown plants than field grown because roots can go no deeper or spread any wider than container It is best to water in the morning for maximum absorption. However, some may need to be watered more than once a day Should be watered till water runs through the holes in the bottom of the pot A gallon container needs ~1 pint of water at each watering Require more water in dry, hot, windy weather Need more water when actively growing & flowering Do not allow any container plants to dry out Field Grown 1. Should be watered in the morning for maximum absorption 2. More porous soil needs more water than clayey soil 3. Watering for field production depends on weather 4. Require more water in dry, hot, windy weather 5. Need more water when actively growing & flowering 6. Do not allow any field grown plants to dry out

Fertilizing • A fertilizer schedule should be established for each type of plant grown • Scheduled periodic liquid fertilizing should be established depending on plants, soil, size, etc. • Slow release fertilizers such as Osmocote & Magamp are mixed into the potting media or top dressed on the soil surface • Plants in containers for more than one year require additional fertilizer and should be watered thoroughly after fertilizing (varies on pot size & plant material) • 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.

MARKETING

Marketing Developing a Marketing Plan Price Your Product • Complete a market analysis to determine target market • Determine what to sell • Know you competition • Materials + Overhead + Labor = SELLING PRICE • Price may vary depending on availability of plant material in your area • Advertising, Public Relations, Personal Contacts, Communications Promotion Placement • Providing a place that is convenient to the customer • Shipping, delivery, internet ordering or nursery pick up