Assignment 6
Synopsis- In this weeks lab we again planted nothing new. We did however do some maintainence on our plants that will be discussed below.
Pests- This week I counted 3 new thrips and 8 new fungus gnats. This gave a total of 23 thrips and 11 fungus gnats on the sticky card.
Nutrition- The Mums are fertigated with 400ppm 20-10-20. The ferns are fertigated with 200ppm 20-10-20. The Easter lilies are fertigated with 200ppm 15-0-15. The onion chives, zonal geraniums, snapdragons, and ivy geraniums are fertigated with 200ppm 15-16-17. The Azaleas are to receive no fertilizer.
Growth- We are required to take measurments for the four portfolio crops to turn in at the end of the semester. They are as follows with height x width: ‘Tango Red’ zonal geranium at 10cm x 21cm with a total increase of 2cm in width, ‘Sophie Cascade’ ivy geranium at 15cm x 46cm with an increase of 1cm x 4cm, ‘Miramar’ mum at 14cm x 26cm with an increase of 3cm x 2cm, and lastly snapdragon mix at 28cm x 32cm with an increase of 2cm in height and a decrease of 2cm in width. The decrease was probably due to the heavy rain fall received the day before lab. I measured the EC and pH of the snapdragons and the ‘Boston Jr.’ ferns. The snapdragons had an average EC of 1.3 and a pH of 6.2. The ferns had an average EC of 1.5 and a pH of 6.
Cultural Treatments- We sprayed B-nine at 2500ppm onto the leaves of the mums to increase fullness. The ivy and zonal geraniums were sprayed with Florel at 350ppm. They also had any dead leaves and new flower buds removed. We tied a new string grid in the shape of an X inside of a square to aid in support as the plants continue to grow taller. Again we removed the blind shoots on the azaleas so that the flowers are not impeded when they begin to blossom.