Progress 07/01/01 to 06/30/06
Outputs
Container-grown boxwood produced additional shoot growth after the initial spring flush following a combined treatment of pruning and applications of a growth regulator containing gibberellin and benzyladenine. Defoliation of the spring shoot flush also resulted in second shoot flush. Plants were also shown to grow optimally (plant dry weight) at 100 to 125 ppm nitrogen, and at 12 to 16 grams of a 15-9-12 controlled release per 3.6 liter container. Resulting electrical conductivity in the container substrate associated with optimal growth was 0.5 to 0.7 dS/m and 0.7 to 1.5 dS/m for the controlled release and liquid fertilizers respectively. Boxwood and other woody nursery crops were shown to grow as well in freshly ground pine chips as in a traditional pine bark substrate. No limestone additions were required for pine chips since pH of pine chips is approximately 6.0.
Impacts
Results from this research show promise for use by grower to produce a salable plant in a shorter period of time and thus increase profits. Pine chips, a less expensive substrate than pine bark, is also more uniform in quality, making pine chips a potential alternative to pine bark as a container substrate.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Boxwood and other woody nursery crops were shown to grow as well in freshly ground pine chips as in a traditional pine bark substrate. No limestone additions were required for pine chips since pH of pine chips is approximately 6.0.
Impacts
Pine chips are less expensive than pine bark and more uniform in quality, making pine chips a potential alternative to pine bark as a container substrate.
Publications
- Wright, R.D. and Browder, J.F. 2005. Chipped Pine Logs: A Potential Substrate for Greenhouse and Nursery Crops. HortScience 40:1513-1515.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Root growth of container-grown boxwood transplanted into the landscape produced different amounts of roots depending upon the soil pH. Root growth into the backfill was more rapid if the pH was maintained at about 7.0. If the pH was lowered to around 4.5, then root growth was slower.
Impacts
Results from this research show promise for use by grower to produce a salable plant in a shorter period of time and thus increase profits. Boxwood transplanted into the landscape will be more likely to survive if pH is maintained at around.7.0.
Publications
- Musslewhite, S., R. Harris, and R. Wright. 2004. Fertilizer requirements for scontainer-grown Buxus spp. J. Environ. Hort. 22:50-54.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Container-grown boxwood produced additional shoot growth after the initial spring flush following a combined treatment of pruning and applications of a growth regulator containing gibberellin and benzyladenine. Defoliation of the spring shoot flush also resulted in second shoot flush.
Impacts
Results from this research show promise for use by grower to produce a salable plant in a shorter period of time and thus increase profits.
Publications
- Stanley, M., R. Harris, H. Scoggins, and R. Wright. 2003. The use of suction cup lysimeters for monitoring the nutritional status of container substrate for optimum growth of willow oak. J. Environ. Hort. 21:111-115.
- Stanley, M., R. Harris, H. Scoggins, and R. Wright. 2003. Evaluation of suction cup lysimeters for obtaining substrate solution from a pine bark substrate. J. Environ. Hort. 21:115-118.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
Container-grown boxwood were shown to grow optimally (plant dry weight) at 100 to 125 ppm nitrogen, and at 12 to 16 grams of a 15-9-12 controlled release per 3.6 liter container. Resulting electrical conductivity in the container substrate associated with optimal growth was 0.5 to 0.7 dS/m and 0.7 to 1.5 dS/m for the controlled release and liquid fertilizers respectively.
Impacts
Results from this research can be used by growers to optimize plant growth and profits, and prevent over fertilization which may reduce nutrient runoff and contamination of surface and ground water.
Publications
- Musselwhite, S.R. 2002. Overcoming summer dormancy of boxwood. M.S. Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
Experiments have been initiated to determine the optimal level of controlled release fertilizers for production of boxwood in 1 gallon containers. Other experiments have been established to determine if Promalin, a chemical mixture of gibberellic acid and benzyl adenine, will overcome summer dormancy of boxwood resulting in increased shoot growth.
Impacts
If this research is successful, production time of boxwood will be decreased resulting in increased profits to production nurseries.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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