Influence of Substrate and Fertilizer Analysis and Rate on Growth and Quality of Five Species of Bedding Plants

Salvia (Salvia splendens) `Red Vista' or `Purple Vista,' french marigold (Tagetes patula) `Little Hero Orange,' bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) `Better Bell,' impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) `Accent White,' and wax begonia (Begonia ×semperflorens-cultorum) `Cocktail Vodka' were grown in 0.95-L (1-qt) containers using a 5 pine bark: 4 sedge peat: 1 sand substrate (Expts. 1 and 2) or Pro Mix BX (Expt. 2 only). They were fertilized weekly with 50 mL (1.7 fl oz) of a solution containing 100, 200, or 300 mg·L-1 (ppm) of nitrogen derived from 15N-6.5P-12.5K (1N-1P2O5-1K2O ratio) or 21N-3P-11.7K (3N-1P2O5-2K2O ratio) uncoated prills used in the manufacture of controlled-release fertilizers. Plants grown with Pro Mix BX were generally larger and produced more flowers or fruit than those grown with the pine bark mix. With few exceptions, plant color, root and shoot dry weights, and number of flowers or fruit were highly correlated with fertilization rate, but not with prill type. There appears to be little reason for using the more expensive 1-1-1 ratio prills, since they generally did not improve plant quality and may increase phosphorous runoff from bedding plant nurseries.

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Bagged Soil Tested as an Alternative for Growing Bedding Plants in the Landscape

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.5.1272 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 1272-1275

Author(s):

Clydette M. Alsup ◽

Pamela B. Trewatha

Keyword(s):

Ornamental Plants ◽

Average Height ◽

Tagetes Patula ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Planting Methods ◽

Salvia Splendens ◽

Dianthus Barbatus ◽

Average Plant ◽

Planting Method

Many homeowners have difficulty establishing ornamental gardens in shallow, rocky soils. “Gardening in a Bag” (planting directly into bags of topsoil) offers a viable alternative for growing many herbaceous ornamental plants. This study compares the growth and appearance of several herbaceous bedding plants using “Gardening in a Bag” versus “in the ground” planting methods. Twenty-five cultivars of Alternanthera dentata R. Br., ornamental pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L.), dianthus (Dianthus barbatus L.), gazania [Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn.], marigold (Tagetes patula L.), petunia (Petunia hybrida hort. ex E. Vilm.), salvia (Salvia splendens Sellow ex Schult.), peek-a-boo plant (Spilanthes oleracea L.), verbena (Verbena hybrida hort. ex Groenl. & Rümpler), and vinca [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don] were evaluated in 2002 under the two planting methods: in the ground versus in bags of topsoil. Wave petunias, dianthus, vinca, and rose moss (Portulaca grandiflora Hook.) were evaluated using the same methods in 2003. All plants were mulched with 7.5 cm coarse sawdust. In 2002, the planting method had no effect on the average height for 16 of the 25 cultivars tested. Seven cultivars were taller when grown in the ground whereas two cultivars were shorter during that treatment. Planting method had no effect on average plant spread of 13 of the cultivars. Plant spread was greater for nine cultivars grown in bags, whereas three cultivars were wider when grown in the ground. Visual ratings of overall appearance were similar for 14 of the cultivars regardless of planting method. In 2003, performance of the five species was evaluated on 3 July, 29 July, and 5 Sept. Planting method did not affect growth and appearance of rose moss or vinca. The two petunia cultivars and the dianthus tended to be taller and wider and had more flowers when grown in the ground compared with growth in bags. Visual quality of the petunias and the dianthus was unaffected by planting method until September when the `Purple Wave' petunias and the dianthus grown in the ground received better ratings than plants grown in bags.

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Effects of Depolymerized Gellan with Different Molecular Weights on the Growth of Four Bedding Plant Species

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10020169 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 169

Author(s):

Piotr Salachna

Keyword(s):

Plant Production ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Growth Promoters ◽

Molecular Weights ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Rudbeckia Hirta ◽

Salvia Splendens ◽

Bedding Plant ◽

Plant Growth Promoters ◽

Derivatives Of

New solutions allowing for the shortening of the growing cycle and improvements in plant quality are constantly sought in order to improve the efficiency of bedding plant production under covers. Biodegradable polysaccharides and their derivatives have become increasingly popular in horticulture as plant growth promoters. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of depolymerized gellan of different molecular weights (MW 56 kDa and 77 kDa) on the growth and physiological parameters of ornamental bedding plants Rudbeckia hirta L., Salvia splendens Sellow ex J.A. Schultes, Scabiosa atropurpurea L., and Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F. Blake. The results showed that the application of depolymerized gellan accelerated flowering and stimulated the growth of all assessed species, regardless of MW. The plants treated with depolymerized gellan grew higher and had greater fresh weight of their above-ground parts, higher leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD; soil and plant analysis development), and higher stomatal conductance (gs). The use of 56 kDa gellan fraction resulted in the formation of inflorescences with the greatest fresh weight in S. atropurpurea. Leaves of R. hirta treated with this fraction showed the highest values of SPAD and gs. This study demonstrated that gellan derivatives of low MW may be used for the production of innovative plant biostimulants.

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pH Affects Seed Germination of Eight Bedding Plant Species

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.25.7.762 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 25 (7) ◽

pp. 762-764 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Candice A. Shoemaker ◽

William H. Carlson

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Filter Paper ◽

Tagetes Patula ◽

Species Response ◽

Buffer Solutions ◽

Ph Values ◽

Salvia Splendens ◽

Bedding Plant ◽

Petri Dishes ◽

Lobularia Maritima

Seeds of eight commonly grown bedding plant species [Ageratum houstonianum Mill., Begonia × semperflorens Hort., Impatiens wallerana Hook., Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., Petunia × hybrida Hort., Pelargonium hortorum L.H. Bailey, Salvia splendens F. Sellow, Tagetes patula] were germinated at pH values from 4.5 to 7.5 at 0.5 increments. Seeds were germinated in petri dishes on filter paper saturated with buffer solutions or in petri dishes containing a 50 sphagnum peat: 50 coarse vermiculite (peatlite) medium moistened with buffer solutions. Germination on filter paper was affected by pH for all species tested. Peatlite medium pH affected germination of all species tested, except Salvia splendens. Species response to similar pH values differed between the two germination procedures. Total percent germination of seeds germinated was less in peatlite medium than on filter paper.

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Finishing Bedding Plants: A Comparison of an Unheated High Tunnel versus a Heated Greenhouse in Two Geographic Locations

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.24.5.527 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 527-534 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher J. Currey ◽

Roberto G. Lopez ◽

Neil S. Mattson

Keyword(s):

Efficient Production ◽

Tagetes Patula ◽

High Tunnel ◽

Cornell University ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Northern Latitudes ◽

Bedding Plant ◽

Cold Tolerant ◽

Celosia Argentea ◽

The Impact

Energy accounts for one of the largest costs in commercial greenhouse (GH) production of annual bedding plants. Therefore, many bedding plant producers are searching for energy efficient production methods. Our objectives were to quantify the impact of growing annual bedding plants in an unheated high tunnel (HT) compared with a traditional heated GH environment at two northern latitudes. Ten popular bedding plants [angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia), vinca (Catharanthus roseus), celosia (Celosia argentea), dianthus (Dianthus chinensis), geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum), petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), french marigold (Tagetes patula), viola (Viola ×cornuta), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), and osteospermum (Osteospermum ecklonis)] were grown both in an unheated HT and a glass-glazed GH with an 18 °C temperature set point beginning on 1 Apr. 2011 at both Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) and Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN). Although seven of the species exhibited a delay in flowering in the HT as compared with the heated GH, there were no differences in days to flower (DTF) for geranium, osteospermum, and viola grown at Cornell and viola at Purdue. The remaining species exhibited delays in flowering in the HT environment, which varied based on species. At Purdue, several species were lost because of a cold temperature event necessitating a second planting. For the second planting, osteospermum was the only species grown that flowered significantly later in the HT; 7 days later than the GH-grown plants. Production of cold-tolerant annuals in unheated or minimally heated HTs appears to be a viable alternative for commercial producers aiming to reduce energy costs.

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Late-season Establishment of Annuals

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.3.485f ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 485F-486

Author(s):

Lynn Burney ◽

Richard L. Harkess

Keyword(s):

Late Summer ◽

Tagetes Erecta ◽

Floral Display ◽

Tagetes Patula ◽

Plant Establishment ◽

Late Season ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Salvia Splendens ◽

Warm Temperate ◽

Planting Season

Maintaining annual color throughout the long summer season in warm temperate regions has become an interest to landscapers and nursery operators. Some colorscaping companies have begun implementing a second summer planting season. There is little information available concerning suitable cultivars and species of bedding plants for establishment in late summer. This study examined plant establishment in two container sizes and three dates of transplanting to determine late season establishment in Starkville, Miss. (33°27' latitude, 88°49' longitude). Seeds of 27 different cultivars were grown in plug flats in the greenhouse and transplanted into jumbo 606 or 10-cm square containers. The plants were grown in the greenhouse until transplanting on 16 Aug., 30 Aug., or 13 Sept. 1996. The plants were transplanted into plots containing nine plants with three replications per planting date. The plants were spaced on 20-cm centers among and between plots. The earliest two plantings resulted in better plant establishment and floral display. Some of the cultivars and species were more tolerant of the late season temperature and humidity establishing and providing a good color display from 6 weeks after transplanting until frost, 2 Nov. 1996. Cultivars that performed well included: Impatiens wallerana `Deco Crystal', `Expo Lavender Blush', `Dazzler Salmon', Begonia semperflorens `Varsity Bronze Scarlet', Zinnia `White Pinwheel', Tagetes erecta `Marvel Gold', and Tagetes patula `Bonanza Harmony'. Cultivars that did not establish well under these conditions included: Verbena hybrida `Romance Pink' and Salvia splendens `Salsa Salmon'. The container size did not significantly affect plant establishment.

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Plug Source and Growth Retardants Affect Finish Size of Bedding Plants

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.36.2.321 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 321-323 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jeff S. Kuehny ◽

Aaron Painter ◽

Patricia C. Branch

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Catharanthus Roseus ◽

Plant Size ◽

Antirrhinum Majus ◽

Trimethylammonium Chloride ◽

Growth Retardants ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Salvia Splendens ◽

Bedding Plant ◽

Significant Difference

Eight bedding plant species were grown from plugs obtained from two sources. The plugs were transplanted into jumbo six packs and sprayed with a solution of chlormequat/daminozide with concentrations of 1000/800, 1250/1250, or 1500/5000 mg·L-1 when new growth was ≈5 cm in height or width. Three different species were grown in the fall (Dianthus chinensis L., `Telstar Mix', Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr., `Dreams Red', and Viola ×wittrockiana Gams., `Bingo Blue'), winter [Antirrhinum majus L., `Tahiti Mix', Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br., `Midget Red', and P. × hybrida, `Dreams Mix'], and spring [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, `Cooler Pink', Salvia splendens F. Sellow ex Roem. & Schult., `Empire Red', and Begonia ×semperflorens-cultorum Hort., `Cocktail Mix']. The treatments significantly reduced finished plant size of all species for each season. There was a significant difference in finish size between sources for Dianthus, Antirrhinum, Matthiola, Catharanthus, Salvia, and Begonia. The efficacy of chlormequat/daminozide also differed for each source of Dianthus, Matthiola, and Begonia, but the treatments minimized the differences in finish size between sources for Petunia and Viola. Chemical names used: (2-chlorethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (chlormequat); (N-dimethylaminosuccinamic acid) (daminozide).

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The growth and flowering of Salvia splendens Sellow ex Roem. et Schult. under flowerbed conditions

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2012.063 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 99-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marzena Błażewicz-Woźniak ◽

Justyna Madej ◽

Diana Rtemi ◽

Wioleta Wartacz

Keyword(s):

Field Experiment ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Control Group ◽

Tagetes Patula ◽

Salvia Splendens ◽

Green Areas ◽

Almost All ◽

Dry Out

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of accompanying plants as well as bark mulching, common for green areas, on the growth, flowering and decorative values of scarlet sage Salvia splendens Sellow ex Roem. et Schult. The field experiment included two cultivars of sage: ‘Red Torreador’ and ‘Luna’; two species of accompanying plants: French marigold – Tagetes patula nana L. ‘Petit Gold’ and flossflower – Ageratum houstonianum Mill.; as well as pine bark mulching. The control group was a monoculture of scarlet sage, without mulching. Pine bark mulching had a beneficial influence on almost all growth and flowering characteristics of scarlet sage. The plants growing on mulched soil were higher, had more leaves and branches as well as their inflorescences were longer and had more whorls than the plants growing without mulching. S. splendens growing with other species had fewer leaves and fewer branches. Its side stems and lateral inflorescences were shorter. The accompanying species also limited the mass of scarlet sage. The vicinity of marigold and flossflower had no influence on the height of S. splendens plants, the number of whorls and flowers within inflorescences. The growth of scarlet sage was largely modified by weather conditions; the plants grew best between June 20th and July 18th, with the best decorative effect achieved in July. The drought caused the flowers to dry out during the second half of the summer each year, limiting the decorative values of sage.

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Improving Bedding Plant Quality and Stress Resistance with Low Phosphorus

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.8.4.575 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 575-579 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kristian Borch ◽

Kathleen M. Brown ◽

Jonathan P. Lynch

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Root Distribution ◽

Small Volume ◽

Plant Quality ◽

Tagetes Patula ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Bedding Plant ◽

Low Phosphorus ◽

P Fertilizer ◽

P Leaching

Bedding plants are frequently exposed to water stress during the postproduction period, resulting in reduced quality. We demonstrated that alumina-buffered P fertilizer (Al-P) provides adequate but much lower P concentrations than conventionally used in soilless mixes. When impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook. f. `Impulse Orange') and marigold (Tagetes patula L. `Janie Tangerine') plants were grown with reduced phosphorus using Al-P, P leaching was greatly reduced and plant quality was improved. Diameter of impatiens plants and leaf area of plants of both species were reduced by Al-P. Marigold plants grown with Al-P had more flowers and fewer wilted flowers. Flower wilting was also reduced for impatiens plants grown with Al-P. In marigold plants, roots were confined to a small volume beneath the drip tube in control plants, while roots of Al-P plants were well distributed through the medium. There was no obvious difference in impatiens root distribution. When plants at the marketing stage were exposed to drought, the Al-P plants of both species wilted more slowly than the conventionally fertilized controls. The reduced leaf area in both species and the improved root distribution of marigold may account for the improvement in drought tolerance of the Al-P plants.

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Effect of applying different rates of slow - disintegrating fertilizer on the quality of marigold (Tagetes patula L.) and scarlet sage seedlings (Salvia splendens L.)

Journal of Agricultural Sciences Belgrade ◽

10.2298/jas0702105v ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 105-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ana Vujosevic ◽

Nada Lakic ◽

Damir Beatovic ◽

Slavica Jelacic

Keyword(s):

Tagetes Patula ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Salvia Splendens ◽

Poly Propylene

The paper investigates the effect of applying different rate of slow disintegrating fertilizer Scotts (Osmocot Exact) with the formula 15:9:9:MgO+Me to the quality of seedlings of marigold and scarlet sage. The marigold and scarlet sage seedlings were grown in poly-propylene containers (speedling system) and poly-propylene pots (pot system). Slow disintegrating fertilizer rate have been applied to the seedlings in the course of their growing (0, 1, 2, 3, i 4 g/l). The obtained data show that the 4g/l substrate rate of slow disintegrating fertilizer has significant effects on the studied parameters of seedlings quality of studied species.

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Uniconazole Application to Container Medium Surface Prior to Planting Bedding Plants

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.38.2.169 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 169-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J.E. Barrett ◽

R.K. Schoellhorn ◽

C.A. Bartuska ◽

D.G. Clark ◽

T.A. Nell

Keyword(s):

Linear Relationship ◽

Plant Height ◽

Catharanthus Roseus ◽

Pine Bark ◽

Bedding Plants ◽

Solenostemon Scutellarioides ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Bedding Plant ◽

Spray Volume ◽

Negative Linear Relationship

Uniconazole was applied as a spray to the surface of container media prior to planting bedding plant plugs. This medium spray was compared to a standard whole-plant spray applied 2 weeks after planting. For petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Vilm.) and coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides L.) the efficacy of the medium spray was similar to the whole-plant spray. However, for impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook. f.) and vinca [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don.] the medium spray had greater efficacy than the whole-plant spray. Increased concentrations of uniconazole in the medium spray decreased plant height; however, the effect of higher concentrations was greater in a medium with out pine bark compared to a medium with pine bark as a component. In the above experiments, uniconazole was applied in a volume of 200 mL·m-2. In a test where spray volume varied, there was a negative linear relationship between plant height and spray volume. Chemical name used: (E)-(+)-(S)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-pent-1-ane-3-ol (uniconazole).

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