Planting Soil should be at the top of the pot, tap twice to get soil settled Dudes… you have to plant your plant at the right depth! –The crown of the plant should be at the soil height

Transplant Either sell or transplant to a larger container when plant reaches maximum recommended size for current container If you don’t it will become pot bound

IPM Integrated Pest Management –Cultural –Mechanical –Biological –Natural –Chemical

Fertilizing Nursery Crops

Fertilization Fertilization should be done on a schedule based on each type of plant grown Some media have fertilizer in them Nutrients have to be added to supply needs of growing plants

Slow-Release Fertilizers Slow-release fertilizers such as Osmocote and Magamp are mixed in potting media Use a slow-release every few months

Fertigation

Fertilizing Containers Plants kept in containers more than one year require additional fertilizer at the rate of one teaspoon of 18% nitrogen for each gallon of container capacity and should be watered thoroughly after fertilizing.

Tips on Fertilizing Plants should be observed and fertilization changed as plant foliage shows a need for either more or less fertilizer.

Watering

Watering Nursery Plants Water as needed to grow quality plants.

Tips on Watering Watering is more important for container grown plants than field-grown plants because roots can go no deeper or spread any wider than the container. Plant containers are above the ground and will dry quicker.

Tips on Watering Plants should be watered until the water runs through the hole in the bottom of the container. A gallon container needs about a pint of water at each watering.

Factors that Affect Watering

Weather Plants require more water in dry, windy, hot weather

Plant Growth Plants need more water in active growth and flowering stage

Kind of Plant Broadleaf evergreens require more water than narrowleaf

Type of Container Fiber or pressed paper dry faster than plastic

Surface Mulch Mulch helps reduce need to water

Pruning

Why Prune? To shape the plant To make the plant more compact To train the growth or form of the mature plant (central leader or many stems) To remove dead or diseased parts

Time for Pruning The best time is immediately after planting and during the growing season May be done in winter in temperate climates

Methods of Pruning Hand pruners Electrical, battery, or gasoline powered pruners Chemicals to kill buds of plants

Plant Spacing Space plants so that the tips of the branches almost touch those of the other plants Containers will be moved as plants get larger

Water Watering as needed Too much or too little can adversely effect plant Large nurseries utilize hand and automated watering

Fertilize Fertilize on a schedule Apply slow release every few months as directed Apply fertigation every watering –Just depends on what method you employ

Pruning of Nursery Stock Prune to desired shape

Media More porous mix requires more watering

Potting Nursery Plants Place soil to the top of the pot and the crown should be at the soil height Space plants so that the tips of the branches almost touch those of other plants. Containers will have to be moved as plants get larger.

Potting Nursery Plants Place plant in the center of the container if only one plant is used. Evenly space the plants in the container if more than one plant is used.

Potting Nursery Plants Plant in containers at the right depth Planting depth varies depending upon the type of plant.