1 Nursery Production and Management3.00 Understand Nursery Management
2 3.01 Understand Nursery Structures, growing environments and maintenance
3 Nursery Structures and Growing EnvironmentConsider climate, soil and topography, available water source, type of plant material, and production method when selecting a nursery structure or growing environment.
4 Shade Houses (Cold Frames)
5 Advantages of Shade HousesConstructed of wood, PVC or galvanized steel No artificial heat source, heated by solar radiation Used for hardening off plants and hot weather holding Protects plants from adverse weather conditions Cover with white plastic during the winter to reduce overwintering injury to woody ornamentals as well as reduce temperature fluctuations during the overwintering period
6 Advantages of Shade HousesA variety of plant material can be grown in a shade house structure. Provides good air circulation Provides filtered light when covered by a shade cloth Inexpensive growing structures
7 Disadvantages of Shade HousesSome plants cannot be grown year round No heat source other than the sun No heat or cooling
8 Hotbeds
9 Advantages of Hotbeds Constructed of wood or galvanized steel, glass and/or plastic Solar heated, electric cables, steam or heated by natural materials such as hay or manure Used for starting plants earlier than in a cold frame Inexpensive growing structure
10 Disadvantages of HotbedsCan be expensive to heat Hay or manure needs to be replaced when the temperature in the hotbed drops below 50 degrees
11 Container
12 Advantages of ContainersPlants are easy to move and transport Grown to sellable size in the container Less shock to plants Retailers can keep plants longer before selling Uniform soilless media Insects, diseases, fertility and pH are easier to control Monitoring of water intake is easily controlled
13 Disadvantages of ContainersRequires more water More labor intensive May become pot bound May require winter protection May have a higher start-up cost: pots, potting media Plants may have to be moved to a larger container May be expensive to ship
14 Field Grown (Traditional)
15 Advantages of Field GrownPlants are grown directly in native soil Bare root plants are easy to handle and plant
16 Disadvantages of Field GrownRequires equipment to be harvested Plants may go into shock when moved or transplanted Harder to control insects, diseases, fertility and pH Soil must be well drained Limited time to harvest Supply cost: liners, burlap, wire baskets, twine, pinning nails Expensive to ship
17 Pot in Pot
18 Advantages of Pot in PotNo staking No blown over containers Cooler roots in the summer Well insulated root system in the winter Easy to move and transport Is becoming a more viable option to the traditional field grown Combines the benefits of field production with the marketing flexibility of container production
19 Disadvantages of Pot in PotStartup cost is expensive largely due to field preparation and purchasing two containers for every plant as opposed to one. 15 to 25 gallon pots are more commonly used. Labor costs
20 Maintenance of Nursery Structures
21 Shade Houses (Cold Frames)Need painting or replacing over time Plastic covering will need to be replaced on a regular basis Replacement of gravel and weed block Debris removal
22 Hotbeds Change out heat source (straw, hay, manure) Pest controlCover replacement Debris removal
23 Container Pest control Replace weed blockReplace gravel on roads and under containers
24 Field Grown (Pot-in-Pot)Replacement of damaged pots Pest control Replace gravel on roads
25 Field Grown (Traditional)Erosion control Pest control Replace gravel on roads
26 Maintenance of Nursery Plants
27 Fertilizer Needs to be replaced regularly in order for the plants to continue to grow and remain strong
28 Irrigation Sprinkler or drip irrigation is determined by crop requirements and container arrangement
29 Shading On newly established plants or plants that will grow in shady areas
30 Pruning Shape plant material Make plants more compactTrain growth to form into a mature plant (central leader or many stems) Remove dead or diseased parts Train into an espalier-a plant that is trained to grow flat against a wall, railing or trellis
31 Pest Control Methods IPM (Integrated Pest Management)-a process used to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. Chemical Control-uses chemicals to eliminate plant pests Mechanical Control-manages pests by physical means such as the use of a barrier, screens, row covers, trapping, weeding or removal of the pests by hand
32 Pest Control Methods Biological Control-uses living organisms such as predators, parasites and pathogens to control the population of pests.
33 Pest Problems-InsectsIdentify insect-aphids, spider mites, whitefly, scale, etc. Determine type of control-chemical, biological or mechanical Treat based on method recommendations
34 Pest Problems-Weeds Identify weeds-henbit, chickweed, grasses, etc.Dig or pull weeds Treat based on method recommendations
35 Pest Problems-DiseaseIdentify disease-blights, fungi, rusts, etc. Treat based on method recommendations
36 Pest Problems-RodentsIdentify the rodent-voles, moles, mice, squirrels, etc. Trap or treat based on method recommendations.
37 Pest Problems-MollusksIdentify mollusks-snails, slugs, etc. Treat based on method recommendations
38 Winter Protection-Frost BlanketTraps and collects heat during the day and releases it at night to keep your plants warm and growing. In the spring it gives you a jump-start on plants and wards off pests. In fall, use it to extend your growing season. Float or drape the lightweight fabric over your plants.
39 Winter Protection-WaterBud protection Spray water on buds before a freeze Often used on fruit trees and strawberries
40 Winter Protection-White PlasticReduce overwintering injury to woody ornamentals Protects young plants in early spring
41 3.02 Understand Nursery Production and Marketing Techniques
42 Types of Plants for ContainersTrees-container, pot-in-pot, balled and burlapped, bareroot Shrubs-container, pot-in-pot, balled and burlapped Perennials-container, pot-in-pot
43 Propagation-Sexual Seed treatmentsStratification-chilling seeds to simulate winter conditions before germination Examples: baptisia and daylily Scarification-breaking of the seed coat Examples: redbud and maples
44 Propagation-Asexual CuttingsSoftwood (herbaceous) cutting-leaf, pieces of the stem or roots from non-woody plants. Cuttings are taken late spring through early summer. Hardwood cutting-pieces of stem from woody plants. Cuttings are taken fall through winter.
45 Propagation-Asexual Grafting-joining separate plant parts together to form a union and grow Scion-top portion of the plant Rootstock-root or bottom portion of the graft
46 Propagation-Asexual Budding-a form of grafting when a bud is used instead of a scion
47 Propagation-Asexual Layering-forcing roots to grow on the stem of the plant while it is still attached to the parent plant.
48 Soil for Containers Media must be porous Soilless media Peat PerliteVermiculite Bark Amendments
49 Soilless Media Peat Perlite Vermiculite BarkPartially decomposed material mined from swamps Good moisture holding capacity Perlite Natural volcanic material that helps aerate the soil Vermiculite Mica mineral matter used to start cuttings Neutral pH Bark Ground pine or oak bark Increases the porosity of soil
50 Soil Amendments Lime-calcium and magnesium increases the pH level of soil making it alkaline or “sweet” correcting the acidity of the soil Fertilizer-adds macro and micro nutrients to the soil Wetting agents-increases water retention of the soil
51 Soils for Planting in the GroundUse native soil in traditional field planting Tree and shrub roots need to grow in native soil A soil test should be done to determine if soil amendments are needed Amendments increase water and nutrient holding capacity. They also improve aeration and water infiltration. Amendments must be mixed with the natural soil.
52 Soils for Planting in the GroundOrganic- “Fresh” organic material should first be composted Sphagnum peat-dehydrated remains of acid bog plants hold moisture and are high in acidity 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
53 Soil for Planting in the GroundInorganic Vermiculite-good moisture holding capacity Perlite-good for aerating the soil Pea gravel-normally used in heavy clay soil
54 Planting Container CropsPlace one plant in the center of the container. Evenly space plants in the container if more than one plant is used. Planting depth is important and varies depending on plant material.
55 Planting Field Crops Determine the layout and spacing of trees and shrubs in the field. Determine the equipment needs of field grown plants.
56 Watering Container and PNPWatering 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. Container plants should be watered until the water runs through the holes in the bottom of the pot.
57 Watering Container and PNPA gallon container needs about a pint of water at each watering. Container plants require more water in dry, hot windy weather. Container plants need more water when actively growing and flowering. Do not allow any container plants to dry out.
58 Watering Field Grown CropsShould 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. Field grown plants require more water in dry, hot, windy weather. Need more water when actively growing or flowering. Do not allow any field grown plants to dry out.
59 Fertilizing Nursery CropsA 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 and Magamp are mixed into the potting media or top dressed on the soil surface.
60 Fertilizing Nursery CropsPlants in containers for more than one year require additional fertilizer and should be watered thoroughly after fertilizing (varies on pot size and 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.
61 Marketing Nursery Plants
62 Develop a Marketing PlanComplete a marketing analysis (research used to predict the future of a market) to determine your target market Once a marketing analysis is complete, determine what to sell. Know your competition.
63 Price Your Product Use this formula to determine your price:Materials + Overhead + Labor = Selling Price Pricing may vary depending on availability of plant material in your area.
64 Promotion Advertising Public relations Personal contactsCommunications
65 Product Placement Providing a place that is convenient to the customer. Shipping, delivery, internet ordering, or nursery pick up