Transcript Bedding Plant Production - Havelock Agricultural Education

Bedding Plant Production
By: Johnny M. Jessup
Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor
Introduction
• Bedding plants are
herbaceous plants
that are normally
grown in outdoor
beds to provide
colorful blooms or
foliage for a
landscape.
Bedding Plants
• Fastest growing segment of floriculture
• Best Sellers (% of US Market)
• Impatiens (44%)
• Geraniums (20%)
• Petunias (14%)
• Other top sellers are….
• Begonias
• Marigolds
• Pansies
Impatiens
• Grow 6-18” high w/ succulent stems.
• Lance shaped leaves.
Impatiens
• Small and rounded
flowers with five
petals and one petal
is shaped like a tube
that protrudes from
the underside of the
flower
• Pink, lavender, red,
white, purple,
salmon and coral.
Impatiens
• Spaced 12-18” and
needs partial sun or
shade.
• May be propagated
from seeds or
cuttings.
Impatiens
• Time from seeding to market packs is about 8
weeks
• Seeds should be placed on surface of medium
and covered lightly
• Germination requires light and temperature of
60-70F
• Can be propagated from cuttings
• Have been the number one bedding crop for
years
• Grow well in shade
Geraniums
• Grow 12-18”
• Leaves are rounded
with scalloped
edges.
• Red, white, or pink
flowers.
• 2/3 of plants sold
are red.
Geraniums
• Need direct sunlight
and 10-12” spacing.
• May be propagated
from seeds or
cutting and
transplanted.
Geraniums
• Time from seeding
to market in packs is
about 14 weeks and
in pots is about 16
weeks.
• Seeds are large and
have to be scarified
because of hard
seed coats (seed
company).
Geraniums
• Cover seeds with an
1/8” of soil.
• Medium (soil mix)
should be about
75oF.
• Can be propagated
from cuttings
(bigger and more
numerous flowers).
Petunias
• Grow from 6-18” tall
and have flowers
with a tube shaped
base.
• Flower colors are
red, pink, white,
blue, and pastels.
• Spaced 10-12”
Petunias
• Grown from seeds and transplanted.
• Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 10 weeks and 11 weeks in pots.
• Sow seeds on surface of medium.
(285,000 seed to an ounce)
• Need light and 70oF -80oF germinating
medium temperature.
Petunias
• Many different types and colors.
• One of top five annuals in the US for over
100 years.
Begonias
• Grow 6-13” high
with pink, red or
white flowers.
• Spaced 6-10” and
need direct sunlight.
Begonias
• May be propagated
from seeds or
cuttings and then
transplanted.
Begonias
• Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 14 weeks and in pots is about 16
weeks.
• Small seed should be lightly pressed into
surface of germinating medium.
• Germination requires 65-70 F medium
temperature.
• Can be propagated with stem cuttings.
• Plants do well in full sun to shade.
Marigolds
• Grow 6” to 4’ tall
with orange or
yellow flowers.
• Pungent aroma.
• Spaced 6-12” apart .
• Best in full sunlight.
• Grown from seeds
or transplants
Marigolds
• Time from seeding
to market is about 9
weeks in packs and
10 weeks in pots.
• Cover seeds with
¼” of medium.
• Germination medium
should be 70-75oF.
Marigolds
• Grow outdoors in full sun.
• Plants grow 6”-4’ tall.
• Few problems.
Pansies
• Grow 6-8” tall and have
moon shaped flowers in
many colors….
• Blue, purple, yellow,
white, pink, and red.
• Spaced 6-8” and grown in
full sun.
• Grown from seeds and
transplanted.
• Cool season bedding plant.
Pansies
• Time from seeding to market in packs is
about 12 weeks and 13 weeks in pots.
• Seeds should be planted on surface of
medium and covered with paper to
keep dark.
• Media 70oF.
• Grow in full sun.
• Cool weather
bedding plant.
Pansies
• Growing Pansies in
Eastern NC
• BUY PLUGS!!! (It is
impossible to have
germination media at
70oF during August)
• Seeded plants
usually turn leggy
and ugly.
Problems, Causes &
Solutions Related with
Bedding Plant
Production
Cultural Problems
• Caused by one of four problems:
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Germination problems.
Fertilization problems.
Uneven growth.
Tall & spindly growth.
Cultural Problems – Germination
• Are caused by….
• Improper
temperature.
• Over-watering.
• Underwatering.
• Chemical residues in
medium.
• Seed planting depth.
• Low quality seeds.
Cultural Problems – Germination
• Problems can be corrected or prevented
by….
•
•
•
•
•
Using high-quality seeds.
Planted at proper depth in medium.
Having no chemical residues.
Maintaining proper temperature.
Maintain proper moisture levels.
Cultural Problems – Fertilization
• Are caused by….
• Lack of nutrients.
• Root injury.
• Improper pH of
medium.
• Excessive
fertilization.
Cultural Problems – Fertilization
• Problems can be
solved by….
• Testing soil or
media.
• Applying correct
amounts & kinds of
nutrients and pH
correcting materials.
Cultural Problems – Uneven Growth
• Caused by….
• Poor mixing of
medium.
• Uneven moisture
levels.
• Unlevel flats.
• Poor grading of
seedlings.
Cultural Problems – Uneven Growth
• Problems can be
corrected or
prevented by….
• Proper mixing of
media.
• Even watering.
• Grading seedlings by
size and quality.
• Placing flats level.
Cultural Problems – Tall & Spindly Growth
• Caused by….
• Too much nitrogen
fertilizer.
• Overwatering.
• Low light intensity.
(Too much shade)
• High temperatures.
Cultural Problems – Tall & Spindly Growth
• Problems can be solved
by….
• Correct amount of
nitrogen.
• Reducing frequency of
watering.
• Lowering temperature.
• Providing more light.
• Using growth retardant.
(B-Nine)
Diseases
• Plant diseases
cause….
• Seedlings to fall
over.
• Lower to turn brown,
rot and dry.
Causes of Plant Disease
• Seedlings falling
over caused by
either….
• Stem rot
• Damping off
Damping Off
• Lower leaves turning
brown rotting &
drying caused by….
• Botrytis
Botrytis
Controlling Plant Diseases
• Controlling stem rot & damping off
• Using sterilized media.
• Using fungicides.
• Improving air circulation around plants.
• Botrytis
• Increasing air temperature.
• Increase circulation round plants.
• Using proper fungicide.
Insects
• Insects cause….
• Plants to be missing.
• Holes in the leaves or plant parts to be missing.
Insects – Causes
• Plants being missing
caused by….
• Slugs.
• Snails.
• Cockroaches.
Insects – Causes
• Holes in the leaves or missing plant
parts are caused by….
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•
•
•
•
Aphids
Mealy bugs
Scale insects
Thrips
Whiteflies
•
•
•
•
•
Flea beetles
Fungus gnats
Leaf miners
Cutworms
Caterpillars
Insects
Aphids
Mealybugs
Scale
Thrips
Insects
Whiteflies
Flea Beetle
Fungus Gnats
Leaf Miners
Insects
Cutworms
Caterpillars
Controlling Insects
• Insects can be
prevented or
controlled by….
• Using baits.
• Recommended
insecticides.
Media Used
in Transplanting
Bedding Plants
Media
• Media is the material used to start and
grow plants.
• The 3 main types are….
• Soil
• Inorganic materials
• Commercially prepared mixes.
Soil
• Must be mixed with
other materials such
as peat moss to add
organic matter and
improve aeration
and drainage.
Inorganic Materials
• Improve aeration &
drainage.
• Examples include….
• Sand
• Finely ground stone
• Gravel
Inorganic Materials
• Perlite
• Expanded volcanic
rock.
• Neutral pH (7.0 –
7.5)
• Sterile
Perlite
• Vermiculite
• Expanded mica
• Sterile
Vermiculite
Commercially Prepared Mixes
• Mixes that are sterile,
contain no insects,
weeds or diseases.
• Types include….
•
•
•
•
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•
Jiffy-Mix
Redi-Earth
Pro-Mix
Sunshine Mix
Metro Mix
Other brands are
available
Containers Used in
Transplanting
Bedding Plants
Containers
• Flat
• Plastic tray usually used
for planting seeds.
• Cell packs
• Several small cell-like
pots of plastic molded
together used for
planting one or two
seeds per cell and selling
without transplanting to
another container.
Seed Flat
Cell Packs
Containers
• Peat pots
• Can be planted
directly in the soil.
• Jiffy 7 pellet
• Can be panted
directly in the soil.
Peat Pots
Jiffy 7 Pellets
Containers
• Plastic, Clay, &
Styrofoam Pots
• Come in various
sizes & shapes.
Plastic Pots
Styrofoam Pots
Clay Pots
Containers
• Hanging Baskets
• Used to hang plants.
Hanging Baskets
Containers
• Standard Pots
• The same size width
at the top as it is
high.
• Azalea Pots
• ¾ as high as its top
diameter or width.
Standard Pots
Azalea Pots
Transplanting
Bedding Plants
Transplanting Bedding Plants
• Seedlings should have
true leaves….
• Not just seed leaves or
cotyledons.
• Waiting too long causes
transplant shock.
• Hold plants by their
leaves:
• Holding by the stem will
bruise the stem causing
plant death.
Transplanting Bedding Plants
• Media may need to
be loosened with a
pot label to keep
from breaking stem
& roots.
• Do not shake
medium off roots.
Transplanting Bedding Plants
• Use dibble or other
means to make a hole
for the transplanting
seedling.
• Plant seedling in the
media in the new
container slightly
deeper than it grew in
the flat and gently press
media around roots.
Transplanting Bedding Plants
• Water gently to
settle media around
roots.
• Keep moist for a few
days to prevent
wilting & drying.
• Grow and harden-off
before selling.
Designed By:
• Johnny M. Jessup; FFA Advisor
• Hobbton High School