HORT 429

Lab 6

February 27, 2008

Pests: This week I counted zero fungus gnats on my card but many were fling around my plants, I counted 8 thrips,  2 aphids, 1 white fly, 2 spiders, and 3 in the group “other”.  Additionally, I am still seeing aphids in the soil of my Easter Lilies along with white spider looking pests. 

Nutrition: “Tango” geranium’s pH and EC was 6.5 and .95, respectively.  For “
Roanoke,” its pH was 6.25 and its EC was 1.0.

Growth: Height and width measurements: Chrysanthemum ‘
Miramar’ was 12cm tall x 33.5cm wide.  The height and width of geranium ‘Tango Deep Red’ was 12cm tall x 19cm wide and Ivy geranium cultivar ‘Sophie Cascade’ was16cm tall x 44.5cm wide.  This week the Snapdragons were 43.5cm tall x 40cm wide. And our new crop Zinnia ‘Profusion White,’ was 3cm tall x 6cm wide.

Cultural Treatments:

I removed all dead foliage from all of my plants to keep the pots clean and free of mold and decay from decomposing foliage.  This helps prevent disease. 

Last week, the mums were sprayed with B-nine at 2500ppm.  The mums are requiring more water and everyone’s mums wilted on Tuesday.  They are watered with 400ppm 15-16-17 and are spaced on 12-inch centers.  This week I also added more media to the center of their pots because a “carder” had formed from watering and the roots were exposed. 

I removed 5 buds total from both varieties of zonal geraniums.  Last week, we sprayed them with Florel 350ppr again to stop them from producing buds for a short period.  The Florel also helps increase branching while stopping apical dominance.  The zonal geraniums are  spaced on 12-inch centers.  This week, their fertilizer changed to 200ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer.  This fertilizer performs better in warmer temperatures, now that it is almost March.  This fertilizer will still provide the plants with the same basic nutrient requirements, even though the NPK ratio is different. 

The Ivy geraniums (together) had 8 buds to removed after last week’s Florel spray.  Last week, they were sprayed again with Florel at 350ppm.  Their fertilizer changed this week and they are now watered with 200ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer and there are spaced on 24-inch centers. 

The Easter Lilies are being watered with 200ppm 15-0-15 fertilizer.  And the lily’s are spaced on 12-inch centers.  The buds are getting larger and they are beginning to droop, (as is characteristic for Easter Lilies).  If temperature holds and my predictions based on bud size hold true, I should have one bloom in less than 14 days.  We also rotated the pots because some of the lilies were starting to lean toward the greenhouse door.  This is called phototropism, and is typical of plants to lean and grow toward the greatest source of light. 

All of the ferns are watered with straight water.  They are currently spaced on 6- inch centers.  The ‘Rosy Maidenhair’ ferns are starting to show some copper color.

The Snapdragons’ fertilizer was also changed, and they are now watered with 200ppm of 20-10-20 fertilizer.  The Snaps are still outside and are spaced pot to pot.  This week we added another string support grind to help them stand up. The grinds are working very well, with the exception that I acidentilly gave one a hard pinch last week while working with the string. 

The Chives had their fertilizer changed this week as well, and they are currently watered with 200ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer, and are spaced on 6- inch centers.

On our Azaleas, we removed the blind shoots.  Blind shoots grow were the buds are and are next years blooming branches, but because we are growing these azaleas as crops (which will be tossed at the end of their blooming), the blind shoots need to be removed because they cover this years blooms.  To grow a high quality crop, we are still removing the blind shoots so all the blooms are visible for a showier look blooming azalea.  The azaleas are spaced on 12-inch centers and are watered with straight water every day.

The Zinnias are being watered with 200ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer and are spaced on 6- inch centers.

This week in lab we sowed 1-6 pack each  (our choice of variety) of the following: Tomatoes, cosmos, and basil (which were slightly covered with media), and petunias, ornamental peppers, and alyssum- which were left uncovered because they need light to germinate.  We used Metro Mix 200 media, water in the media, sowed 3-4 seeds per cell (covered the seed if needed), placed each 6-pack together by seed type, and then covered them with clear plastic.  The plastic will keep the humidity up, and we will remove our 6-packs when we see some green- meaning we will remove them and placed them on our bench at the first sign a seed has sprouted. 

Using the same method, I sowed an entire flat of ‘Durango Tangerine’ marigolds.  I was supposed to sow “Durango Bolero’ but there wasn’t any seed left.  The marigold seeds were covered with media (2 seeds/ cell) and then placed under clear plastic.  The goal was to have each watering partner sow one of the two types of seed, grow them individually, and then at the end of the semester trade so each person would have ½ a flat of each type of marigold.  We think that one group may have both sown ‘Bolero,’ so things should work out for Kimberly and I in the end. 

Lab 5

February 20, 2008

Pests: This week I counted zero fungus gnats, 2 thrips, 1 aphid, 1 leafminer fly, and two in the group “other”.   Additionally, I am still seeing aphids in the soil of my Easter Lilies along with white spider looking pests.

Nutrition: “Avedia” geranium’s pH and EC was 6.56 and 1.56, respectively. For “Miramar,” its pH was 6.66 and its EC was 1.0. Growth: Height and width measurements: Chrysanthemum ‘Miramar’ was 10.5cm tall x 30cm wide. The height and width of geranium ‘Tango Deep Red’ was 10.5cm tall x 17.5cm wide and Ivy geranium cultivar ‘Sophie Cascade’ was12cm tall x 43cm wide. This week the Snapdragons were 28cm tall x 40cm wide.

Cultural Treatments: On the Friday before this lab, a mix of Azatin and Decathlon were sprayed. Azatin at a rate of 16oz/100gal –it is an insect growth regulator and will control the nymph stages of aphids and the pupal and larval stages of thrips. Decathlon was used at 1.9oz/100gal and it will control the nymph and adult stages of aphids and the adult and larval stages on thrips- as well as the adult stages of the fungus gnats.

The mums were sprayed with B-nine at 2500ppm. They are being watered with 400ppm 15-16-17.

 I removed 7 buds total from both varieties of zonal geraniums. . We sprayed them with Florel 350ppr again to stop them from producing buds for a short period. They were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer. They were spaced on 12-inch centers.

The Ivy geraniums had one bud to remove after last weeks’s soft pinch. We sprayed them with Florel 350ppm a second time this week. They were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer and there were spaced 24-inch centers.

The Easter Lilies are being watered with 200ppm 15-0-15 fertilizer. This week I measured the bud size on my third lily. Temperature and bud length predict blooming time, and mine measured as a size 3, which should bloom in 20 days. The Easter lily’s were spaced on 12-inch centers All of the ferns are being watered with straight water. They are currently spaced on 6- inch centers.

The Snapdragons are watered with 200ppm of 15-16-17 fertilizer, and are still outside and are spaced pot to pot. We added another string support grind to help them stand up.

The Chives are watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer, and are spaced on 6- inch centers.

On our Azaleas, we removed the blind shoots. Blind shoots grow were the buds are and are next years blooming branches, but because we are growing these azaleas as crops (which will be tossed at the end of their blooming), the blind shoots need to be removed because they cover this years blooms. To grow a high quality crop, we removed the blind shoots so all the blooms are visible for a showier look blooming azalea. The azaleas are spaced on 12-inch centers and are watered with straight water every day.

Lab 4

February 13, 2008

Pests: This week I counted 5 fungus gnats, 17 thrips, and 2 white flies.  Additionally, I saw two aphids in the soil of my Easter Lilies. 

Nutrition: The Easter lily’s pH and EC was 6.1 and 2.3, respectively.  For the Ivy geranium, its pH was 5.9 and its EC was 2.95.

Growth: Height and width measurements: Chrysanthemum ‘
Miramar’ was 9cm tall x 28cm wide.  The height and width of geranium ‘Tango Deep Red’ was 9cm tall x 15cm wide and Ivy geranium cultivar ‘Sophie Cascade’ was11cm tall x 36cm wide.  This week the Snapdragons were 22cm tall x 36cm wide.

 The new plants: The initial height and width for the Azalea was 24cm tall x 41 cm wide.

Cultural Treatments:

This week we are waiting to see if last weeks’s treatment of
Marathon, a systemic chemical that prevents infestation, is enough to control the insects in the greenhouse.

The mums are now being grown on our benches and have been removed from nighttime interruption.  This will allow the mums to have short days so they can flower; and they are watered with 400 20-10-20 fertilizer.  This week they were spaced 12-inch centers.  And because of their high EC readings, they were leeched on Monday. 

There were no buds to remove from the zonal geraniums after last week’s Florel treatment, which slows, and stops flower formation for a short period.  They were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer.  They were spaced on 12-inch centers

The Ivy geraniums also did not have buds to remove after last weeks’s Florel treatment.  They were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer, the hangers were put on the pots, and there were spaced 24-inch centers.  This week they were given a soft pinch on the longest branch on each plant.  A soft pinch only removes the growth tip, and stops apical dominance. 

The Easter Lilies are being watered with 200ppm 15-0-15 fertilizer.  This week we measured their bud size using a sizing tool from the text.  The tool uses temperature and bud length to predict blooming time.  One of my buds was a size 4 and will bloom in 20 days, one was a size three and will bloom in 25 days, and my other lily’s buds were too small to measure.  This week we sprayed the soil with Gnatrol, soaking 1inch of the soil.  Gnatral is a BT solution that kills insects, and should get rid of our fungus gnats.  It was sprayed at a rate of 32oz/100gal.  The Easter lily’s were spaced on 12-inch centers

All of the ferns are being watered with straight water.  They are currently spaced on 6- inch centers.

The Snapdragons are watered with 200ppm of 15-16-17 fertilizer, and were moved outside this week because they need cooler temperatures than our other crops in the greenhouse.  This week it rain heavily but no harm was done, and they are straitening back up.  The Snap’s are spaced pot to pot.

The Chives are watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer, and are spaced on 6- inch centers.

On our Azaleas, we removed the blind shoots.  Blind shoots grow were the buds are and are next years blooming branches, but because we are growing these azaleas as crops (which will be tossed at the end of their blooming), the blind shoots need to be removed because they cover this years blooms.  To grow a high quality crop, we removed the blind shoots so all the blooms are visible for a showier look blooming azalea.  The azaleas are spaced on 12-inch centers and are watered with straight water.

I love lab!  I am excited that the azaleas are finally here.  I am glad the order was messed up because now I get to grow three different azaleas, all with different color blooms.  If the Easter lily bud meter is correct, I will have one in bloom in a little over two weeks!

Lab 3

February,6 2008

Pests: This week I counted 2 fungus gnats.

Nutrition: The Snapdragon’s pH and EC was 5.65 and 4.7, respectively.  For ‘Boston Junior’ Fern, its pH was 5.95 and its EC was 2.75 .

Growth:  Height and width measurements: Chysanthemum ‘Mirimar’ (after pinch) was 7cm tall x 27.7cm wide.  The height and width of geranium ‘Tango Deep Red’ was 7.5cm tall x 12cm wide and the Ivy geranium cultivar ‘Sophie Cascade’ was 10cm tall x 34.5cm wide.  This week the Snapdragons were 13cm tall x 32.5cm wide.

 The new plants: The initial height and width for the Onion Chives were 11cm tall  x 9cm wide.

Cultural Treatments:

All of the plants this week were treated with Marathon, a systemic pesticide that prevents infestation, and Ban rot (sp?) a systemic fungicide that prevents root rot. 

The mums are still being grown as a class because mums need night light interruption, from 10pm-2am, to stay vegetative; and black cloth is needed to prevent light pollution on other crops.  They are watered with 400ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer.  In correction to blog #3, the mums were also being watered with 400ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer last week.  This week both cultivars were pinched back to seven nodes.  By mistake, ‘Mirimar’ was pinched back to 6 nodes instead of seven.  This should not make a difference because it is common to pinch back to 5-7 nodes.  The pinch stops apical dominance and therefore increases branching.

I removed flower buds from the zonal geraniums to create a better plant shape.  They were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer.  They were sprayed with pgr Florel 350ppm to discourage them from forming buds right now, and removed all their dead foliage to decrease disease and pest problems. 

The Ivy geraniums were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer and I removed one bud from them, and they were also sprayed with pgr Florel 350ppm.  All the dead leaves were also removed from them as well. 

The Easter Lilies are being  watered with 200ppm 15-0-15 fertilizer, and I have one that has a hard top with buds that I can see.

All of the ferns are being watered with straight water.  I also cleaned uf their dead foliage as well.

The Snapdragons are being given 200ppm of 15-16-17 fertilizer.  This week we tied a string grid for support. 

The Onion chives are being watered with 200 15-16-17ppm fertilizer.

I can’t wait to get back into the greenhouse for lab this comming week!

Blog #3 

Lab 2

January 30, 2008

Pests: This week I counted 7 small, black flies

Nutrition: Chrysanthemum ‘Mirrimar’s’ pH and EC was 5.9 and 5+, respectively.  Geranium ‘Avendia’s” pH was 5.9 and it’s EC was 3.96. 

Growth: Height and width measurements: For the mum’s: ‘Mirimar’ was 7.5cm tall x 24 cm wide, and ‘Roanoke’ was 12cm tall x 26cm wide. The height and width of the zonal geraniums, ‘Tango Deep Red’ was 6.5cm tall x 11.5cm wide, and ‘Avendia Mosaic Red’ was 10cm high x 20cm wide. The height and width for the Ivy geranium cultivar ‘Sophie Cascade’ was10cm tall x 33.5cm wide. And the height and width of the Easter Lily was 23.5c.x 24.5cm. 

 The new plants: The initial height and width for the ‘Boston Junior’ fern was 8cm x 23cm wide.  The other Boston fern cultivar ‘Emerald Vase’ fern was 8cm x 7xm wide. We also potted two Maidenhair cultivars:  ‘Rosy Maidenhair’ was 3cm tall x 11cm wide, and ‘Southern Maidenhair’ was 4cm tall x 8.5cm wide.  The Snapdragons were 12cm tall x 32.5cm wide.

Cultural Treatments: The mums are being grown as a class because mums need night light interruption, from 10pm-2am, to stay vegetative; and black cloth is needed to prevent light pollution on other crops.  They were watered with 300ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer.

I removed flower buds from the zonal geraniums to create a better plant shape.  They were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer. 

The Ivy geraniums were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer.  There were not any buds to remove from them.

The Easter Lilies are being  watered with 200ppm 15-0-15 fertilizer, and I cleared the soil and excess roots off of the outside of their pots.

All of the ferns are being watered with straight water.  The ferns were potted using the SunShineLC1 mix without vermiculite, because no vermiculite = better drainage.

The Snapdragons are being given 200ppm of 15-16-17 fertilizer.  We are growing these as a cut flower, so we fit the pots with tomato cages to support the Snaps as they grow. We are growing a mix of five cultivars Potomac Appleblossom, Cherry Rose, Early Orange, Early Pink, and Early Rose.

I can’t wait to see how the Snapdragon’s turn out.  I have always wanted to grow “commercial” snapdragons for cutting and see how to support them.  I have always seen wire rows. 

January 23, 2008

Lab 1

Pests: This week I set up the sticky card that will be used to count pests beginning next week.  The card was placed slightly higher than the crops on my bench in order for me to see which pests .

Nutrition: There were not any ec/pH readings taken this week.

Growth: The beginning height and width measurements:  For the initial height and width of the mums, ‘Mirimar’ was 8cm tall x 24 cm wide, and ‘Roanoke’ was 11cm tall x 27cm wide; In initial Height and width of the zonal geraniums, ‘Tango Deep Red’ was 5cm tall x 11cm wide, and ‘Avendia Mosaic Red’ was 12cm high x 17cm wide; The initial height and width for the Ivy geranium cultivar ‘Sophie Cascade’ was16cm tall x 31cm wide; And the initial height and width for the Easter Lilies was 22cm tall x 16cm wide.

Cultural Treatments: The mums are being grown as a class because mums need night light interruption, from 10pm-2am, to stay vegetative; and black cloth is needed to prevent light pollution on other crops.  When potting the mums, special care was taken to evenly space each cutting around the edge of the pot, and also to angle out each cutting. In order to achieve the full single plant appearance of high quality crops, it is very important to angle out each cutting.  This week they were watered with 300ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer.

I removed flower buds from the zonal geraniums to create a better plant shape. They were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer. 

The Ivy geraniums were watered with 200ppm 15-16-17 fertilizer.

I did not water the Easter Lilies because they were watered by my instructors before the lilies were brought into the greenhouse.

This Lab is very exciting for me.  I was thrilled when I learned that we were all getting to grow Easter Lilies!  It will be fun learning about the different cultural treatments for different crops, and this will apply to the plants that I grow outside of class.  I have never taken weekly photos of the progress of plants before, and being able to line them all up will show a greater change that I might not notice while in the greenhouse between lab and watering times.

My name is Katherine Rose Deegan.  I am a junior horticulture major at Texas A&M.  I’m from Houston, where I live with my parents, my friend Bri, and my dog  named Sadie.  I have taught Sadie to speak.  She literally says ” I love you,” “Go Astros!” and we are currently working on “Howdy!” My green house expirience is that I worked at Longwood Gardens , Kennett Square PA, and was a visitor communications volunteer.  I got to sit at a desk in the main conservatory, be in awe of the everything around me, and occasionally answer hort questions.   I have an urban horticulture study emphasis, and one day I want to have a green house of my own so I can grow bulbs, and house my orchids of coarse. 

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