INTRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Goals / Objectives
1. To provide statewide reporting of processes involved in collecting and screening plant taxa which may be used as source materials for release to industry or use in other projects (i.e. breeding, nutrition, and growth regulators) and to encourage individual workers to record information on source of each plant taxa at time of entry; and to record information on later performance by supplying parameters which relate directly to introduction of plants and their evaluation for further restricted or general uses. 2. To provide listings of plant taxa in annual tests concerning suitability for local cultivation or for breeding or other investigative used and to include any reports on final testing at several locations of new genotypes selected for possible release. Also to provide listings of plant taxa that are unsuitable because of poor adaptive traits, poor quality factors or danger of becoming weed pests.

Project Methods
Collection of Florida endemic or exotic taxa from geographical regions of similar climate, propagation by seed, or propagules, and production utilizing standard horticultural techniques common to the Florida horticulture industry. Comprehensive performance records will be maintained by assigning an accession number to each taxon under consideration. Following determination of propagation and nursery or greenhouse production protocols, field trials of new introductions will be conducted to determine the optimal landscape location (seaside planting, shade or sunny outdoor locations, and drought or heat tolerance) and method of landscape establishment and management (optimal irrigation and nutrition levels) will be conducted for suitable taxa. In all herbaceous perennial crops, standards of production will follow those outlined by the Perennial Plant Association in their national guidelines. Trial plantings of herbaceous material will be implemented in a manner which parallels those used in both Monticello and Bradenton research stations so that future comparison at these different locations will generate information of use to growers throughout the state of Florida.

Progress 10/01/02 to 10/01/03

Outputs
Research on woody landscape plants continued to evaluate the landscape performance of Florida native herbaceous, woody and grass plants in low input landscapes. Data collection continues for field experiments evaluating woody plant tolerance to root knot nematode species, field production of new Magnolia grandiflora germplasm and Hypericum reductum germplasm. Manuscripts were prepared, presented or published describing the outcome of a field experiment to evaluate potential seed production of Buddleia cultivars that was terminated in Dec. 2002.

Impacts
Ongoing research focuses on the development of production and landscape establishement protocols for desirable landscape crops that are improved or distinct or crops that are not currently introduced into the horticulture trade. Results of greenhouse and field experiments continue to provide information on the landscape performance of both native and introduced species in response to environmental impacts such as low fertility and irrigation inputs or natural pests such as root knot nematodes. Local, regional, and statewide programing including web pages, presentations, and publications transfers the new information directly to state specialists, land managers, students and the horticulture industry. This information will ultimately influence plant breeding, selection, production and use in the laqndscape industry, therby ultimately reducing the inputs necessary for plant production, establishment and management

Publications

Miller, Debbie , Yager, Lisa , Thetford, Mack , Schneider, Mica. 2003. Potential Use of Uniloa paniculata rhizome fragments for dune restoration. Restoration Ecology. 11:3 : Pp. 359 -369 Thetford, Mack . Introduction and Evaluation of Ornamental Plants. 2003. 2002 Annual Research Report for the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station: Florida Agriculture Experiment Station, 2 pg.
Thetford, Mack , Miller, Debbie , Smith, Kathryn , Schneider, Mica. 2003.Transplant Survival and Growth of two Coastal Beach Plants Produced in Containers of Various Volume and Depth. HortTechnology. Status: Submitted - In Review
Mecca, Laurie K., Wilson, Sandra B., Thetford, Mack , Raymer, Josiah , Barnett, Emily L. 2003. Assessing visual quality, growth and seed production of 14 Buddleja cultivars grown in west and south Florida. Southern Nursery Association 48:68-71.

Progress 10/01/97 to 09/30/03

Outputs
The project resulted in the identification of ornamental plants suitable for Florida and the development of production and landscape establishment protocols for desirable landscape crops. Field experiments evaluated the landscape performance of grasses, native beach plants, perennial vines, tropical perennials, Buddleia and Rudbeckia hirta and field days, research and popular press publications provided researchers, specialists, and homeowners with recommendations for use of these plants for Florida landscapes. Useful information for subsequent breeding of Buddleia and Imperata was identified through experiments evaluating potential invasive characteristics while evaluation of Rudbeckia germplasm identified effects of seed source on landscape performance. Greenhouse and nursery experiments evaluated the propagation and production of these plants and useful information was distributed to researchers, specialists, and homeowners through field days and publications in research and the popular press. Establishment of a two acre teaching and research garden provided a public venue for the evaluation of over 200 plant species and provided a public location for consumers and industry representatives to learn about the species evaluated.

Impacts
Research focused on the development of production and landscape establishment protocols for desirable landscape crops that are improved or distinct or crops that were not previously introduced into the horticulture trade. Results of greenhouse and field experiments provided information on the landscape performance of both native and introduced species in response to environmental impacts such as low fertility and irrigation inputs or natural pests such as root knot nematodes. Other research characterized potentially invasive characteristics of ornamental species and provided information useful in the future development of breeding programs for these species. Local, regional, and statewide programs were conducted that provided web pages, presentations, and research publications to transfer the new information directly to state specialists, land managers, students and the horticulture industry. This information will ultimately influence plant breeding, selection, production and use in the landscape industry. The impact of this influence will be an alteration in the use of these plant species through a better understanding of how to produce, select, and use these plants in many landscapes situations.

Publications

Thetford, Mack and Debbie Miller. 1999. Alternative revegetation techniques for coastal dune systems. 11th Annual International conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration. Abstract No. 92. (Poster).
Miller, Deborah L. and Mack Thetford. 1999. Evaluation of Sand Fence for coastal dune restoration. 11th Annual International conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration. Abstract No. 91. (Poster).
Miller, Deborah L, Mack Thetford and Lisa Yager. 1999. Enhancement of Natural Dune Building and Revegetation Processes on Santa Rosa Island, Final Report. West Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Jay, FL. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series number N-01804.
Barrett, J.E., R. Schoellhorn, and C. Bartuska. 2001. Uniconazole application to container media surface prior to planting bedding plants. - HortScience.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2001. Crown of Thorns makes a come back. Greenhouse Product News. 11(8): 44-46.
Sandra B. Wilson, Mack Thetford, Laurie K. Mecca, Josiah S. Raymer, and Judith A. Gersony. 2004. Evaluation of 14 Butterfly Bush Taxa Grown in Western and Southern Florida: II. Seed Production and Germination. HortTechnology. Volume 14, no 4. pp. 612-618.
Mecca, Laurie K., Wilson, Sandra B., Thetford, Mack , Raymer, Josiah , Barnett, Emily L. 2003. Assessing visual quality, growth and seed production of 14 Buddleja cultivars grown in west and south Florida. Southern Nursery Association 48:68-71.
Mack Thetford and Debbie Miller. 2004. Propagation and Production of Seacoast Marshelder. University of Florida Fact Sheet ENH 975. December 2004.
Mack Thetford and Debbie. Miller 2004. Propagation and Production of Gulf Bluestem. . University of Florida Fact Sheet Fact Sheet ENH 974 December 2004.
Mack Thetford and Debbie Miller. 2004. Propagation and Production of False Rosemary. . University of Florida Fact Sheet Fact Sheet ENH 973 March, 24, 2004.
Mack Thetford and Debbie Miller. 2004. Propagation and Production of Atlantic St. Johnswort. . University of Florida Fact Sheet Fact Sheet ENH 972 March 25, 2005.
Miller, Debbie , Yager, Lisa , Thetford, Mack , Schneider, Mica. 2003. Potential Use of Uniloa paniculata rhizome fragments for dune restoration. Restoration Ecology. 11:3 : Pp. 359 -369
Thetford, Mack . Introduction and Evaluation of Ornamental Plants. 2003. 2002 Annual Research Report for the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station: Florida Agriculture Experiment Station, 2 pg.
Thetford, Mack , Miller, Debbie , Smith, Kathryn , Schneider, Mica. 2003.Transplant Survival and Growth of two Coastal Beach Plants Produced in Containers of Various Volume and Depth. HortTechnology. Volume 15, no 3. pp 554-559.
Thetford, Mack and Debbie Miller. 2002. Propagation of 4 Florida Coastal Dune Species. The Native Plants Journal.Volume 3, no 2. pp. 112-120.
Raymer, Josiah and Mack Thetford. 2002. Genetic diversity among red leaf and green leaf Imperata cylindrica. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, 47th annual report. pp. 656-660.
Raymer, J.S. 2002. Evaluation of DNA extraction methods for RAPD/PCR characterization of Imperata cylindrica. Undergraduate Thesis. Gainesville, FL.
Raymer, Josiah and Mack Thetford. 2002. Genetic diversity among red leaf and green leaf Imperata cylindrica. Journal of Undergraduate Research. Volume 4, Issue 3 - November 2002. http://www.clas.ufl.edu/jur/200211/papers/paper_raymer.html
Thetford, Mack, Gary W. Knox and Alejandro Bolques. 2002. Landscape performance of perennial vines for North Florida. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, 47th annual report. pp. 445-452
Thetford, Mack and Robert A. Kinloch. 2002. Galling response of 50 woody landscape species grown in Meloidogyne incognita- and M. arenaria- infested soils. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, 47th annual report. pp. 258-264.
Thetford, Mack. 2002. Understanding drought in southern gardens. Florida Turf Digest. (in press)
Thetford, Mack. 2001. Ornamental Grasses for The South. Ornamental Outlook. August. pp.12, 14, 18.
Thetford, Mack. 2001 Native Ornamental Grasses for Southern Lawns, Color and Contour. Florida Turf Digest. Nov/Dec. pp. 24-26.
Thetford, Mack, Debbie Miller, and Perrin Penniman. 2001. Vegetative propagation and production of Ceratiola ericoides Michx. for use in restoration. The Native Plants Journal. Volume 2 no. 1 pp. 116 - 125.
Norcini, Jeffrey. G., Mack Thetford, and James H. Aldrich. 2001. Evaluation of grasses native to Florida under low input conditions. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assoc. Res. Conf., 46th Annu. Rpt. pp. 466-469.
Norcini, Jeff, Mack Thetford, Kimberly Moore, Michelle Bell, Brent K. Harbaugh, and James H. Aldrich. 2001. Seed source effects growth and flowering of Rudbeckia hirta L. ecotypes. HortTechnology 11(1) 26-30.
Thetford, Mack and James B. Berry. 2000. Response of five woody landscape plants to Primo and pruning. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 18(3)132-136.
Thetford, M. and R. A. Kinloch. 1999. Galling response of herbaceous and woody landscape species grown in Meloidogyne incognita- and M. Arenaria-infested soils. Research Report. 1999-08, University of Florida, IFAS, West Florida Research and Education Center, Milton, FL.
Arocha, Luis O., Frank A. Blazich, Stuart L. Warren, Mack Thetford, and James B. Berry. 1999. Seed Germination of Rhododendron chapmanii: Influence of Light and Temperture. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. Volume 17, no 4 193-196.
Thetford, Mack. 1999. An Introduction to Ornamental Grasses and Grasslikes for Southern Gardeners. Hortdigest. Issue 9, July 1999. http:/www.hortdigest.com/ornamentalgrasses.htm
Thetford, Mack. 1999. Influence of scarification treatment on the germination of Hairy Wild Indigo. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assoc. Res. Conf., 44th Annu. Rpt. pp. 341-345.
Sandra B. Wilson, Mack Thetford, Laurie K. Mecca, and Josiah S. Raymer. 2004. Evaluation of 14 Butterfly Bush Taxa Grown in Western and Southern Florida: I. Visual Quality, Growth, and Development. HortTechnology. Volume 14, no 4. pp 605-612.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2001. Selecting for Season. Ornamental Outlook. 10(2): 42-46.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2001. The lowdown on perennial trials. Ornamental Outlook. 2000. 9(5): 12-14.
Schoellhorn, Rick K, Barrett, James E, Bartuska, Carolyn, Nell, Terril A. 2001. Anatomical and Quantitative Effects of High Temperature on Axillary Meristem development in Dendranthema grandiflorum 'Improved Mefo'. - HortScience.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 1998. authors, various. Controlling Growth of Perennials. GMPro. Dec (1998) 32 -39.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 2000. Elephant Ears: The high impact tropical for the north and the south. Greenhouse Product News, June. p. 14-18
Schoellhorn, R.K. 2000. Rediscovering Ruellias, an underused specialty annual. Greenhouse Product News, June p. 15-17.
Wells, Ellen. 2000. Guiding Tomorrow's Research. A coverage of up and coming floriculture researchers. Greenhouse Grower.
Schoellhorn, R.K., Barrett, J.E., Bartuska, C., and Nell, T.A. 2000. Growth Regulators in Propagation of Stachytarpheta Spp. Control Elongation and Improve Root Initiation. Horttechnology.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2000. Early Application of Growth Regulators on Vegetative Plugs. GMPro.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 2000. Effects of Chemical Growth Regulators on Rooting and Stem Elongation In Propagation of Five Flowering Tropical Perennials. Symposium on Protected Crop Cultivation, Cartagena, Spain. Acta Hort.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 1999. Plants for the Future. GM-PRO. 19(12) (1999): 16-24
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1999. Controlling the tropics. Ornamental Outlook 8(5) 30-32.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1999. Rounding up Rondeletia. Ornamental Outlook 8(10) 28-29.
Childs, K. 1999. New Under the Sun (Highlights from the Milton Gardens Project) Ornamental Outlook 8(9) 46-47.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Focus on Perennials. Ornamental Outlook - pg. 78 January 1998.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Gingers for the Gulf Coast Garden. Gulf Coast Gardener. 1(1) 8-11.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Container Gardens - The Instant Landscape. Gulf Coast Gardener. 1(2) 9 -11.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Catch the Incoming Tropical Storm. Greenhouse Product News 8(4) 28-33.
Various - 1998. Controlling Growth of Perennials. (Data from research at WFREC) GMPro December 1998. Pp. 32-39
Schoellhorn, R.K., J.E. Barrett, and T.A. Nell. 1996. Branching of Chrysanthemum Cultivars Varies with Season, Temperature, and PPF. HortScience 31(1): 74-78.

Progress 10/01/01 to 10/01/02

Outputs
Research on woody landscape plants continued to evaluate the landscape performance of Florida native herbaceous, woody and grass plants in low input landscapes. Data collection continues for field experiments evaluating woody plant tolerance to root knot nematode species, field production of new Magnolia grandiflora germplasm and Conradina canescence germplasm. A field experiment to evaluate potential seed production of Buddlei cultivars was initiated and terminated in Dec. 2002. Manuscripts were prepared, presented and published describing the outcome of ornamental vine experiments, screening methods for determining nematode susceptability of woody ornamentals, and relationships of an imperata cylindrica germplasm collection based on a refined RAPD procedure.

Impacts
Ongoing research focuses on the development of production and landscape establishement protocols for desirable landscape crops that are improved or distinct or crops that are not currently introduced into the horticulture trade. Results of greenhouse and field experiments continue to provide information on the landscape performance of both native and introduced species in response to environmental impacts such as low fertility and irrigation inputs or natural pests such as root knot nematodes. Local, regional, and statewide programing including web pages, presentations, and publications transfers the new information directly to state specialists, land managers, students and the horticulture industry. This information will ultimately influence plant breeding, selection, production and use in the laqndscape industry, therby ultimately reducing the inputs necessary for plant production, establishment and management.

Publications

Thetford, Mack and Debbie Miller. 2002. Propagation of 4 Florida Coastal Dune Species. The Native Plants Journal.Volume 3, no 2. pp. 112-120.
Raymer, Josiah and Mack Thetford. 2002. Genetic diversity among red leaf and green leaf Imperata cylindrica. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, 47th annual report. (in Press)
Thetford, Mack, Gary W. Knox and Alejandro Bolques. 2002. Landscape performance of perennial vines for North Florida. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, 47th annual report. (in Press)
Thetford, Mack and Robert A. Kinloch. 2002. Galling response of 50 woody landscape species grown in Meloidogyne incognita- and M. arenaria- infested soils. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, 47th annual report. (in Press)
Thetford, Mack. 2002. Understanding drought in southern gardens. Florida Turf Digest. (in press)

Progress 10/01/00 to 10/01/01

Outputs
Thetford - Progress in the woody landscape program involves the development of production and landscape establishment protocols for desirable landscape crops that are improved or distinct or crops that are not currently introduced into the horticulture trade. Field experiments were continued to evaluate the landscape performance of Florida native grasses in low input landscapes. Data collection of field experiments to evaluate ornamental plants (vines) for enhancing the presence, abundance and seasonal occurrence of beneficial insects were completed. Greenhouse experiments were completed to develop a screening method for determining the susceptibility of woody landscape plants to root knot nematodes. A field experiment for evaluation of Magnolia grandiflora selections was continued. A Field experiment to evaluate the landscape performance of the native plant Conradina canescence was established. A laboratory procedure for RAPD determination of Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) was developed. Field experiments to determine the effects of plant growth regulators on the growth and flowering of Encore azaleas were completed. Research in herbaceous plant materials continued with experiments studying propagation of new crops, cold hardiness of tropical perennials, uses for foliage plants in the landscape, plant growth regulator studies in propagation and production, and overall performance evaluations with 6 national seed and vegetative crop producers.

Impacts
Ongoing research focuses on the development of production and landscape establishment protocols for desirable landscape crops that are improved or distinct or crops that are not currently introduced into the horticulture trade. Results of greenhouse and field experiments continue to provide information on the landscape performance of both native and introduced species in response to environmental impacts such as low fertility and irrigation inputs or natural pests such as root knot nematodes. Local, regional, and statewide programing including web pages, presentations, and publications transfers the new information directly to state specialists, land managers, students and the horticulture industry. This information will ultimately influence plant breeding, selection, production and use in the landscape industry thereby ultimately reducing the inputs necessary for plant production, establishment and management.

Publications

Thetford, Mack. 2001. Ornamental Grasses for The South. Ornamental Outlook. August. pp.12, 14, 18.
Thetford, Mack. 2001 Native Ornamental Grasses for Southern Lawns, Color and Contour. Florida Turf Digest. Nov/Dec. pp. 24-26.
Thetford, Mack, Debbie Miller, and Perrin Penniman. 2001. Vegetative propagation and production of Ceratiola ericoides Michx. for use in restoration. The Native Plants Journal. Volume 2 no. 1 pp. 116 - 125.
Thetford, Mack and Debbie Miller. 2001. Propagation of four Florida coastal dune species. The Native Plants Journal. (In Review)
Norcini, Jeffrey. G., Mack Thetford, and James H. Aldrich. 2001. Evaluation of grasses native to Florida under low input conditions. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assoc. Res. Conf., 46th Annu. Rpt. (In Press)
Barrett, J.E., R. Schoellhorn, and C. Bartuska. 2001. Uniconazole application to container media surface prior to planting bedding plants. - HortScience. Accepted. 2 pages
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2001. Crown of Thorns makes a come back. Greenhouse Product News. 11(8): 44-46.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2001. Selecting for Season. Ornamental Outlook. 10(2): 42-46.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2001. The lowdown on perennial trials. Ornamental Outlook. 2000. 9(5): 12-14.

Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00

Outputs
Schoellhorn - Progress in the area of tropical perennial production; PI - Dr. Rick Schoellhorn: Twelve experiments on the efficacy of commercial growth regulators on new crops and tropical perennials were conducted. Cuttings (propagative materials) of 38 species of new crops were requested by industry from the research program and delivered to the industry. National trialing of 82 species of new specialty crops completed with: Paul Ecke Ranch, San Diego, CA. Ball Floraplant and Ball Seed, Chicago, IL., Proven Winners/ Europropagators, San Diego, CA. 400 species and cultivars of annual and perennial crops were trialed and maintained on exhibition for industry and consumers to evaluate performance. Six invited speaker presentations were given around the southeast from North Carolina to Texas at the request of industry and allied trade. Two international presentations made in Cartagena, Spain and Ontario, Canada. Thetford-Progress in the woody landscape program involves the development of production and landscape establishment protocols for desirable landscape crops that are improved or distinct or crops that are not currently introduced into the horticulture trade. Field experiments were campleted to determine the influence of drip irrigation on landscape performance of ornamental grasses. Additional field experiments were initiated to evaluate the landscape performance of Florida native grasses. Data collection of field experiments to evaluate ornamental plants (vines) for enhancing the presence, abundance and seasonal occurrence of beneficial insects continues. Greenhouse experiments were intitiated to determine the response of woody landscape plants to root knot nematodes. A field experiment for evaluation of Magnolia grandiflora selections and field experiments to evaluate the survival of beach plant transplants were also intitated in 2000.

Impacts
Ongoing research focuses on production and adoption of new crops. Overall this research will improve both the quality of the plant materials produced and raise awareness of the correct usage of plant materials by the end consumer. This is accomplished through research, publication (refereed journals and industry), professional presentations in the southeast, and introduction of new crops directly into industry. 1. Over 6,000 industry and consumers have toured the trial gardens this year. 2. Trials of material for national industry producers have doubled in size. 3. Experiments involving the photoperiodic responses of 13 tropical perennial species, and the effects of commercial plant growth regulators on rooting of Stachytarpheta species were presented at the American Society of Horticultural Sciences national convention in Orlando, August 2000.

Publications

Schoellhorn, Rick K, Barrett, James E, Bartuska, Carolyn, Nell, Terril A. 2001. Anatomical and Quantitative Effects of High Temperature on Axillary Meristem development in Dendranthema grandiflorum 'Improved Mefo'. - HortScience.
In press: Schoellhorn, Rick K. 2000. Early Application of Growth Regulators on Vegetative Plugs. GMPro. (2000)
In Review: Schoellhorn, R.K. 2000. Effects of Chemical Growth Regulators on Rooting and Stem Elongation In Propagation of Five Flowering Tropical Perennials. Symposium on Protected Crop Cultivation, Cartagena, Spain. Acta Hort.
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 1999. Plants for the Future. GM-PRO. 19(12) (1999): 16-24
Schoellhorn, Rick K. 1998. authors, various. Controlling Growth of Perennials. GMPro. Dec (1998) 32 -39.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 2000. Elephant Ears: The high impact tropical for the north and the south. Greenhouse Product News, June. p. 14-18
Schoellhorn, R.K. 2000. Rediscovering Ruellias, an underused specialty annual. Greenhouse Product News, June p. 15-17.
Wells, Ellen. 2000. Guiding Tomorrow's Research. A coverage of up and coming floriculture researchers. Greenhouse Grower. Accepted for publication.
In review: Schoellhorn, R.K., Barrett, J.E., Bartuska, C., and Nell, T.A. 2000. Growth Regulators in Propagation of Stachytarpheta Spp. Control Elongation and Improve Root Initiation.
Thetford, Mack and James B. Berry. 2000. Response of five woody landscape plants to Primo and pruning. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 18(3)132-136.
In Review: Thetford, Mack, Debbie Miller, and Perrin Penniman. 2001. Propagation and production of Florida rosemary Ceratiola ericoides Michx. for coastal dune restoration. The Native Plants Journal.
In Review: Miller, Deborah L., Lisa Yager and Mack Thetford. 2000. Potential use of Uniola paniculata rhizome fragments for dune restoration. Restoration Ecology.
Norcini, Jeff, Mack Thetford, Kimberly Moore, Michelle Bell, Brent K. Harbaugh, and James H. Aldrich. 2001. Seed source effects growth and flowering of Rudbeckia hirta L. ecotypes. HortTechnology 11(1)

Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/99

Outputs
Progress in the area of tropical perennial production; PI - Dr. Rick Schoellhorn: Experiments involving the photoperiodic responses of 13 tropical perennial species were conducted in fall of 1998 and 1999. 18 Experiments on the efficacy of commercial growth regulators on new crops and tropical perennials were conducted. Cuttings (propagative materials) of 8 species of new crops were requested by industry from the research program and delivered to the industry. 400 species and cultivars of annual and perennial crops were trailed and maintained on exhibition for industry and consumers to evaluate performance. Four invited speaker presentations were given around the southeast from North Carolina to Texas at the request of industry and allied trade. PI - Dr. Mack Thetford: The woody landscape program involves the development of production and landscape establishment protocols for desirable landscape crops that are improved or distinct or crops that are not currently introduced into the horticulture trade. Field experiments were completed to determine the influence of drip irrigation on landscape performance of ornamental grasses. Additional field experiments were completed to evaluate the influence of weed control strategies on landscape performance of ornamental grasses. Field experiments were initiated to evaluate ornamental plants (vines) for enhancing the presence, abundance and seasonal occurrence of beneficial insects. Greenhouse experiments were initiated to determine the response of woody landscape plants to root knot nematodes and to evaluate the relative tolerance of ornamental grasses to salt. Greenhouse experiments were completed to develop propagation and production protocols for Florida native plants endemic to coastal dunes. Nursery experiments were completed to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulators on the production of ornamental grasses and woody landscape species.

Impacts
Ongoing research impacts growers and the public at critical levels of production and adoption of new crops. Overall this research will improve both the quality of the plant materials produced and raise awareness of the correct usage of plant materials by the end consumer. This is accomplished through research, publication (refereed journals and industry), professional presentations in the southeast, and introduction of new crops directly into industry.

Publications

Schoellhorn, R.K., J.E. Barrett, and T.A. Nell. 1996. Branching of Chrysanthemum Cultivars Varies with Season, Temperature, and PPF. HortScience 31(1): 74-78.
In review: Schoellhorn, R.K., J.E. Barrett, C. Bartuska, and T.A. Nell. 1999. Anatomical and Quantitative Effects of High Temperature on Axillary Meristem development in Dendranthema grandiflorum 'Improved Mefo'.
Thetford, M. and R. A. Kinloch. 1999. Galling response of herbaceous and woody landscape species grown in Meloidogyne incognita- and M. Arenaria-infested soils. Research Report. 1999-08, University of Florida, IFAS, West Florida Research and Education Center, Milton, FL.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1999. Controlling the tropics. Ornamental Outlook 8(5) 30-32.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1999. Rounding up Rondeletia. Ornamental Outlook 8(10) 28-29.
Childs, K. 1999. New Under the Sun (Highlights from the Milton Gardens Project) Ornamental Outlook 8(9) 46-47.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Focus on Perennials. Ornamental Outlook - pg. 78 January 1998.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Gingers for the Gulf Coast Garden. Gulf Coast Gardener. 1(1) 8-11.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Container Gardens - The Instant Landscape. Gulf Coast Gardener. 1(2) 9 -11.
Schoellhorn, R.K. 1998. Catch the Incoming Tropical Storm. Greenhouse Product News 8(4) 28-33.
Various - 1998. Controlling Growth of Perennials. (Data from research at WFREC) GMPro December 1998. Pp. 32-39
Arocha,Luis O., Frank A. Blazich, Stuart L. Warren, Mack Thetford, and James B. Berry. 1999. Seed Germination of Rhododendron chapmanii: Influence of Light and Temperture. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. (In Press)
Thetford, Mack. 1999. An Introduction to Ornamental Grasses and Grasslikes for Southern Gardeners. Hortdigest. Issue 9, July 1999. http:/www.hortdigest.com/ornamentalgrasses.htm
Thetford, Mack. 1999. Influence of scarification treatment on the germination of Hairy Wild Indigo. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assoc. Res. Conf., 44th Annu. Rpt. (In Press)
Thetford, Mack and Debbie Miller. 1999. Alternative revegetation techniques for coastal dune systems. 11th Annual International conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration. Abstract No. 92. (Poster).
Miller, Deborah L. and Mack Thetford. 1999. Evaluation of Sand Fence for coastal dune restoration. 11th Annual International conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration. Abstract No. 91. (Poster).
Miller, Deborah L, Mack Thetford and Lisa Yager. 1999. Enhancement of Natural Dune Building and Revegetation Processes on Santa Rosa Island, Final Report. West Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Jay, FL. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series number N-01804.

Progress 10/01/97 to 09/30/98

Outputs
Field experiments were initiated to determine the influence of drip irrigation on landscape performance of ornamental grasses. Additional field experiments were initiated to evaluate the influence of weed control strategies on landscape performance of ornamental grasses. Field experiments were initiated to evaluate ornamental plants (vines) for enhancing the presence, abundance, and seasonal occurrence of beneficial insects. Greenhouse experiments were initiated to determine the response of woody landscape plants to root knot nematodes. Summer '98 landscape performance evaluations and winter '98 hardiness studies are in progress for 64 different perennial crops. The experiment is replicated in two sites both in Jay and in Milton. Growth regulator studies have been completed and are being prepared for publication on four tropical perennial species. Propagation and rooting studies have been completed and are being prepared for publication on three perennial species. Establishment of a two-acre research and teaching gardens to evaluate performance of approximately 160 species of perennials was completed and will begin generating data in 1999. Over 40 industry representatives and 1000 consumers have utilized the garden and been added to mailing lists.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

No publications reported this period