Assignment 9
Synopsis- This week we planted nothing new, but observed the growth that occured over spring break. All of the plants had grown several centimeters including all of the seedlings. The growth was very healthy and vigorous.
Pests- Now that it has gotten warmer outside more pests are emerging. My sticky card had a total of 57 thrips and 21 fungus gnats. The thrips incresed by 15 and the fungus gnats increased by 8.
Nutrition- This weeks EC/pH readings came from the ‘Tango’ zonal geranium and the ‘Roanoke’ mum. The zonal geranium had an average EC of 2.8 and an average pH of 6.13. The mum had an average EC of 2.97 and an average pH of 6.
Growth- We continued measurements on our four crop portfolio plants. The ‘Tango Dark Red’ zonal geranium was measured at 16cm x 26cm with a 2cm decrease in width, the ‘Sophie Cascade’ ivy geranium was measured at 23cm x 53cm with an increase by 7cm x 5cm, the ‘Miramar’ mum was measured at 21cm x 30cm with an increase of 4cm x 2cm, and finally the snapdragon was measured at 61cm x 33cm with an increase of 19cm in height.
Cultural Treatments- All the mums had the center bud removed except one plant which had all but the center bud removed to compare methods when flowers are open. The Heliotrope in the mixed container garden was disbudded. The marigolds were thinned a second time if needed and B-nine was sprayed on them to reduce internode elongation for a more compact uniform crop. The other seedlings were again thinned with tomatoes, peppers, and cosmos thinned to 1 seedling per cell; basil and petunias thinned to 3 seedlings per cell; and the alyssum thinned to 5 seedlings per cell. The zinnias were disbudded a second time to allow further vegetative growth. We got to take home the Easter lilies, azaleas, and chives. The zinnias, ivy geranium, zonal geraniums, and snapdragons were all fertilized with 200ppm 20-10-20 fertilizer. The ferns are still to be watered with di-inoized water. Fertilization of the mums was terminated this week. They will be watered now with di-ionized water.