Bedding Plant Production Topic 2174 Aaron Gearhart

What are Bedding Plants? Flower and vegetable transplants that are planted each spring Flower and vegetable transplants that are planted each spring Started in greenhouses during the winter so they can be transplanted when danger of frost is past. Started in greenhouses during the winter so they can be transplanted when danger of frost is past.

Why Do We Do Use Bedding Plants? To have flowers that are a part of our landscaping in bloom longer To have flowers that are a part of our landscaping in bloom longer Leave the difficulties of germination and juvenile stages to the pros Leave the difficulties of germination and juvenile stages to the pros So we can see the final product when we buy it So we can see the final product when we buy it Save time, Save time, Save time Save time, Save time, Save time

Here are Some Examples of Bedding Plants

Ageratum

Begonia

Celosia

Petunias

Marigold

Nicotiana

Pansy

Salvia

Zinnia

Impatiens

Favorite Bedding Plants Petunias Petunias Geraniums Geraniums Impatiens Impatiens Begonias Begonias Pansies Pansies

Some Favorite Vegetable Bedding Plants Tomatoes Tomatoes Peppers Peppers Cabbage Cabbage

Soilless Media Most bedding plants are grown in soilless media Most bedding plants are grown in soilless media This is due to the fact that regular mineral soil like that in agricultural fields becomes quickly waterlogged when in flats This is due to the fact that regular mineral soil like that in agricultural fields becomes quickly waterlogged when in flats

Characteristics of Good Media Light weight Light weight Porous (having a high percentage of air pockets) Porous (having a high percentage of air pockets) Well-drained Well-drained Most common media is a ground bark, peat moss and perlite mix… Most common media is a ground bark, peat moss and perlite mix…

Perlite and Vermiculite Perlite is a volcanic rock that is “ puffed ” by baking it at high temperatures. It is very poor at holding water and is thus excellent for lightening up your soilless media (white bumps in the media) Perlite is a volcanic rock that is “ puffed ” by baking it at high temperatures. It is very poor at holding water and is thus excellent for lightening up your soilless media (white bumps in the media) Vermiculite is also a volcanic rock but is brown and can hold water fairly well. Vermiculite is also a volcanic rock but is brown and can hold water fairly well.

Sowing Seed In commercial applications seed is often sowed into plug trays In commercial applications seed is often sowed into plug trays This saves space, which is vital in order to maintain profits This saves space, which is vital in order to maintain profits Excellent care is needed in order to keep the seed moist in such a small volume of media Excellent care is needed in order to keep the seed moist in such a small volume of media

Germinating Seeds Seeds are sown onto a fine germinating media Seeds are sown onto a fine germinating media A thin layer of vermiculite is often placed on top A thin layer of vermiculite is often placed on top Must be kept constantly moist Must be kept constantly moist General temperature of 70 – 75 F General temperature of 70 – 75 F Some seeds require light (impatiens,lettuce) Some seeds require light (impatiens,lettuce) Label type and variety on the plug trays to avoid mixups Label type and variety on the plug trays to avoid mixups Fertilizing the plug trays with a high phosphorous fertilizer solution will result in less transplant shock Fertilizing the plug trays with a high phosphorous fertilizer solution will result in less transplant shock

Transplanting to Flats Usually done when the plants show about four true leaves Usually done when the plants show about four true leaves One plug to each flat One plug to each flat One 512 count plug tray can fill about cell flats. One 512 count plug tray can fill about cell flats. Each flat must be carefully labeled with the plant type and variety to avoid mixups Each flat must be carefully labeled with the plant type and variety to avoid mixups

Important Things to Remember When Transplanting Plants are fragile so be very careful. Plants are fragile so be very careful. Transplants should be watered in immediately after being placed in the plug tray. Transplants should be watered in immediately after being placed in the plug tray. As a general rule, while growing, plants should be watered with 100ppm Nitrogen and Phosphorous once per week. As a general rule, while growing, plants should be watered with 100ppm Nitrogen and Phosphorous once per week.

Fertilizer This is where the plants get their food This is where the plants get their food Soilless media has very few nutrients in it so we must supply these nutrients with fertilizers Soilless media has very few nutrients in it so we must supply these nutrients with fertilizers Excessive fertilizer will result in tall bushy plants which will be hard to sell Excessive fertilizer will result in tall bushy plants which will be hard to sell By keeping fertilizer rates at a minimum compact flowering plants that are easy to ship can be attained By keeping fertilizer rates at a minimum compact flowering plants that are easy to ship can be attained

Watering Just like fertilizer, excessive watering can result in tall bushy plants Just like fertilizer, excessive watering can result in tall bushy plants Yet too little watering can result in weak and sometimes dead plants Yet too little watering can result in weak and sometimes dead plants Media should never be waterlogged and never be completely dry. A happy medium should be reached. Media should never be waterlogged and never be completely dry. A happy medium should be reached. For this reason it is important to check the plants in the morning and afternoon of every day. For this reason it is important to check the plants in the morning and afternoon of every day.

Temperature Temperature requirements are going to be different for every plant Temperature requirements are going to be different for every plant Temperature is a great way to regulate plant height using DIF. Temperature is a great way to regulate plant height using DIF. Some plants require a specific temperature to get into flower Some plants require a specific temperature to get into flower Lowering the temperature will “ harden plants ” Lowering the temperature will “ harden plants ”

Hardening Plants By lowering temperatures before sales you can achieve: By lowering temperatures before sales you can achieve: Stiffer stems Stiffer stems Harder leaves Harder leaves Darker colored flowers Darker colored flowers Easier transition from the perfect greenhouse environment to the less forgiving outdoor environment Easier transition from the perfect greenhouse environment to the less forgiving outdoor environment Not to be used for every plant Not to be used for every plant

DIF Stem elongation increases as the difference between day and night temperature increases Stem elongation increases as the difference between day and night temperature increases Day temperature – Night temperature=DIF Day temperature – Night temperature=DIF Can reduce stem elongation by lowering day temperatures for most bedding plants and bulb plants Can reduce stem elongation by lowering day temperatures for most bedding plants and bulb plants

Good Ideas Every plant is different in its environmental needs Every plant is different in its environmental needs It is a good idea to look in a flower production book or seed catalog for excellent information on scheduling and raising your plants It is a good idea to look in a flower production book or seed catalog for excellent information on scheduling and raising your plants

Scheduling Often times plants will need to be ready at the end of May for shipping and sales Often times plants will need to be ready at the end of May for shipping and sales Each plant grows at different rates so proper scheduling must be done Each plant grows at different rates so proper scheduling must be done This is easily done by taking the total production time and counting backwards from the desired finish date to determine sowing time This is easily done by taking the total production time and counting backwards from the desired finish date to determine sowing time

Common Plant Disorders Can arise from Can arise from Improper watering Improper watering Improper fertilizing Improper fertilizing Pests Pests Diseases Diseases

Tip of the Iceberg The best information is obtained from actually getting into the greenhouse and getting firsthand experience.