Unit 10 Flowers Foliage Chapter 23

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage Chapter 23

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Unit 10 Objectives: Identify types of flower/foliage plants people buy in different times of the year n Time from planting to income production n Understand watering precautions n Transplanting indoor flowers/foliage to the outdoors n The greenhouse environment n

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Flower Business n People buy flowers at different times of the year for different reasons

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n n Floriculture contributes $3 b to the economy each yr Herbaceous Perennials Classified as herbaceous if the top dies back to the ground each winter, grows new stems each yr n Classified as woody if the top persists n Advantages n n Don’t have to replant each yr n The flower bed can change colors as one variety flowers, then another

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Not as necessary to deadhead n Disadvantages n Only bloom 2 -3 wks n Require pruning May require transplanting every 2 -3 yrs n Growing Perennials n n Keys n n n Proper soil preparation Planning Occasional maintenance

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Selection n Site influences the species grown n What might be an example? n Most prefer 6 -8 hrs sun/d n May have to consider wind protection for taller varieties n Planning n Color combinations n Height coordination n Bloom sequencing n Plan on graph paper carefully

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n n Properly planned perennial gardens will have flowers that bloom in each season n Spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer/fall n Plant in drifts n Taller varieties to the back to act as a border Spacing n 6 -12” for dwarf plants n 12 -18” for medium sizes n 18 -36” for tall plants n Soil Preparation n Good drainage necessary n Don’t want it excessively moist during winter dormancy

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n n n Incorporate organic matter or peat moss to improve drainage Prepare in the fall Especially good in raised beds n Planting n n n Usually planted in the spring (Apr – May) Mail order nurseries will often ship bare-rooted n Plant ASAP Potted perennials n Plant throughout the growing season n If exposed to the outside temps through the winter – can be planted in early spring n Greenhouse grown – after last frost

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n n n Cover exposed crowns after planting to protect Weed-free bed Grow best if planted before Oct 1 to ensure good rooting n Watering n n n Most need supplemental water until well established n 1”/wk Once established – only water during dry periods Water preferred over the soil rather than overhead to prevent disease and shallow rooting n Fertilization n Incorporate a 4 -12 -4 or 5 -10 -5 @ 2 -3 lbs/100 sq ft before planting

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Established plants n Bone meal, superphosphate (0 -19 -0) in spring will be most beneficial n Maintenance n n n May have to stake taller varieties Pinching back will produce bushier growth Mulch helps control weeds n Not too much mulch around the crown – will hold too much moisture, results in disease n Winter protection n n Most injured by heaving, not cold temps Mulch will help protect

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Make sure the mulch isn’t too tight or thick n Dividing & transplanting n n n Maintains plant vigor & maximum flower production n Usually every 3 -4 yrs n Some should never be divided Timing is critical n Midsummer to fall bloom – divide in early spring before too much growth n Spring to early summer – divide in the fall, after foliage dies Procedure n Dig hole large enough to catch all the roots n Carefully avoid root damage

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n n n Divide outside off first – more vigorous new growth Clean off all other soil May want to cut top back to 6” Break apart by hand, or with sharp knife Replant ASAP n Diseases & Insects n n Usually very healthy plants Remove any dead plant material n Propagation n n From tips Root cuttings

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Flowering Annuals Will only persist if they reseed themselves n Must be planted each yr n Advantages n n Versatile n Sturdy n Cheap n Easy to grow n Produce instant color

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Bloom for most of the growing season n Allow for experimentation n n Color Height Texture Form Disadvantages n Replant each yr n Constant deadheading to maintain flowering n May begin to look worn out by late summer

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Uses n Fill spaces until permanent plantings are prepared n Extending perennial beds n Fill holes n Cover spring blooming bulbs n Fill planters, window boxes, hanging baskets n Plant along fences, walkways n Create seasonal color

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Site Selection & Preparation n Different species have different environmental preferences n Fall soil preparation is best n Ensure good drainage n Incorporate organic matter n Use proper fertilizer n Seed Selection n Buy good, viable seed n Old seed is less vigorous, reduced germination

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Buy hybrid varieties n n More uniform size Increased plant vigor Better quality flowers Starting Plants Indoors n Use clean containers n Fill to 2/3 capacity n Plant at proper depth n Bottom heat is helpful n 60 -75º ideal n Use mild fertilizer after plants begin growth n Low nutrient content is best at planting

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Planting Times n Wait till after last frost n <60º soil temp will reduce germination & growth n Sowing Seed Outdoors n Sow in vermiculite filled furrows n Germination is often reduced n Soil crusting reduces water presence n 1/2” depth n Easy to overwater

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Setting out Transplants n Can have flowers sooner than growing from seeds n Buy only healthy plants n Harden off properly n Plant in a hole that will hold all the roots comfortably n Setting Plants n Remove paper from a fiber pot and plant n n Remove upper part to conserve moisture to around the plant Will create a wick effect

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Thinning n Thin to recommended spacing for best results n n Especially in outdoor-grown plants 8 -12” general recommended spacing n Ensures proper amounts of: n n n Light Water Nutrients Space Watering n Water enough to keep soil moist (don’t get soggy) n Drip systems are ideal

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Don’t want to wet flowers or foliage n n More susceptible to disease Mulching n Keeps soil surface from crusting n Prevents weeds n Cultivation n Keep soil surface from crusting n Pull weeds by hand n Feeder roots from flower to flower may be injured if you mechanically cultivate

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Stirs and uncovers weed seeds n Deadheading n Remove spent flowers and seeds pods n Ageratum, calendula, cosmos, marigolds, pansy, zinnia, petunias, etc n Staking n Support for bad weather for tall plants n 6” shorter than the mature plant n Begin when they are 1/3 of mature height

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Fertilizing n Ensure proper soil nutrients n n Soil testing Prior knowledge n Add to damp soil n Apply w/ watering n Bulbs n Contain embryonic plant & stored food

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Site Selection & Soil n Well-drained loam n Use organic matter n Planting n Bulb planter, hand trowel, or nursery spade n Planted in fall/spring (depending on variety) n Follow depth recommendations for each variety n Fertilizing n Small amount of fertilizer covered w/ soil on bottom of bed before planting (5 -10 -5) n Small amount in the spring

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Care & Flowering n Dig up after foliage turns yellow & dies n Some must be dug each yr to maintain the best flowers n Tulips, hyacinths n Others only need to be dug every 3 -5 yrs n Daffodil, crocus, lilly n Dust w/ a pesticide to prevent infestation n Store in peat moss or sawdust n Bulb Pest & Diseases n Keep bed weed and trash free

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Use chemicals only if necessary n Forcing Bulbs n Artificially breaking dormancy n Pot & store at 40 -50º for 10 -12 wks n Bring into a cool room w/ partial light n Will then bloom after taken from cool storage w/in 5 wks n Flowering House Plants n Several keys to growing good flowering house plants

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Light n Know proper light requirements n 5 categories n n n Full sun: >5 hrs direct sun/d Some direct sun: brightly lit, <5 hrs direct sun/d Bright indirect light: considerable light, no direct sun Partial shade: indirect light, various intensities/durations Shade: poorly lit, away from windows Temperature n Constant temps are best n 60 -68º ideal

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Water/Humidity n n n Water requirements are not as high as we think Many die from overwatering Water only when they are a little dry Must have good drainage Can bottom or top water General Care n n n 5 -5 -5 fertilizer will usually provide ample nutrients Slow release will eliminate risk for burning Don’t fertilize a dormant or overly dry plant Collect dead leaves Loosen crusted soil

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n Repotting n Repot no more than 2” greater than previous pot n Only after flowers have faded n Remove damaged/unhealthy roots n Propagation n Depends on type of plant n Generally leaf/stem cuttings

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage n The Greenhouse Environment n 3 purposes n Controlled environment for plants grown on large scale n Grow plants when not possible outdoors n Extend growing season for plants that would go dormant Should receive maximum amount of sunlight n Should control: n n Temp n Moisture n Ventilation n Climate

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage Humidity is important to help maintain shape & nutrient transport n Ventilation n n Exchanging air is crucial for optimal growth n Ensures proper temp & humidity Climate affects heating/cooling systems n Features n n Various base materials n Covers n Glass, soft plastic, acrylic panels, poly panels

Unit 10: Flowers & Foliage No homework on this unit! n Exam 3 next time n Open notes/book n Units 6 -10 n Must make arrangements for notes before you leave! n