Nursery Production

1. Nursery Production And I don’t mean for you big ‘ol babies!

2. What is Nursery Production? • The growing of plants in controlled environments (or nurseries). • Nurseries are places where plants, shrubs, and ornamental trees are grown for transplanting into landscape areas.

3. Growing Nursery Stock • Field Grown • Container Grown • Types of Plants • Planting Techniques • Maintenance • Selling $$$$

4. Types of Plants in Nurseries • Ground covers • Trees • Christmas Trees • Shrubs • Perennials • Ornamental Grasses

5. Field Grown vs. Container

6. Field Grown Production • This is being replaced by container grown plants • There is more shock to plants • Plants are not easy to move • Plants are not all in the exact same media and must be treated differently • pH, diseases, and fertility is difficult to control • Less Dynamic • Less labor • Less start-up cost

8. Container Grown Plants • Less shock to plants • Easy to move • Retailers can keep plants for a long time • Insects, diseases, and fertility is easier to control • Greater return per acre

9. Fewer Diseases

10. Retailers Can Keep Longer

11. There are some disadvantages Requires more water Can become pot-bound (root growth is limited) Requires winter protection Higher start up cost More management Container Grown Plants

12. More Water

13. Pot -bound

14. Winter Protection

15. Field Grown vs. Container • Types of plants grown in containers vary from ground covers to trees • Proper selection of containers should include several considerations such as • Cost • Durability • Appearance • Insulation value to plant roots • Shape • Drainage • Size (1 quart-100 gallon)

16. Potting Nursery Plants

17. Growing Mixes (media) • Should provide adequate drainage • Should provide aeration • Nursery production often involves unique media materials: • Sand • Bark • Peanut shells or other organic materials

18. Nursery Media