Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Propagation, production and outplanting protocols were developed for several native coastal plant species including woody goldenrod (Chrysoma pauciflosculosa), October Flower(Polygonella polygama), Sandhill wireweed (Polygonella robusta), Large leaf Jointweed (Polygonella macrophylla), gopher apple (Licania michauxii)and Seacoast Marshelder(Iva imbricata). Permanent plantings of ferns, begonias, daffodils, ornamental grasses and succulents were added to the Milton Gardens to serve as a demonstration site and for use by local gardening organizations and extension agents for educational programs. Information about this work has been presented at the International Plant Propagators' Society annual meeting (2008), in horticulture classess offered through the University of Florida and Pensacola Junior College, Garden club programs, and through extension programs. PARTICIPANTS: Sean Claypool and Tim Baxley were added as new field technicians, Tina Nutt and Darlene Bonelli assisted with greenhouse experimets and a new graduate student participated in the project, Alison Heather (MS). A regional meeting of federal, state and county land managers occurred in 2009 and expanded the participants and contacts for the project. Additional contacts include: David Mitchell, Department of Environmental Protection Restoration Division, Tova Spector, Florida Park Service, and Vernon Compton, The Nature Conservancy. TARGET AUDIENCES: Results of propagation experiments were presented through formal classroom instruction and laboratory instruction as example crops in the Plant Propagation course. Three undergraduate students gained practicum experience through the implementation of greenhouse and field trials and the crops evaluated over the life of the project were the subject of workshops conducted as part of extension and outreach programs associated with the Milton Gardens. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Propagation, production and outplanting protocols developed for native coastal plant species are utilized by local agencies to augment existing dune restoration efforts. Four graduate students were trained and employed by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the National Park Service, or a private consulting firm. Project leaders participated in meetings with managers of federal, state and county lands to discuss new methods and approaches for coastal restoration with implications for conservation and recovery of Santa Rosa Beach Mouse and the Perdido Key Beach Mouse. Consultations with land managers provided information utilized in dune restoration activities at the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Perdido Key State Park. Research findings were presented at The Coastal Plain Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration 2009 Annual Symposium and the Ecological Society of America annual meeting, and the Florida Coastal Training Program Coastal Dune Erosion Control and Restoration Workshop.
Publications
- Thetford, M; and D.L. Miller. 2009. BARRIER ISLAND RESTORATION ON EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA. In: Restoration in the Southeast with a Focus on Military Lands; The Coastal Plain Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration, March 24-26; page 12. (Abstract)
- Tobing, Sarah Thankful Lumban. 2009. Germination and establishment of woody species in association with barrier island interdunal swales. M.S.Thesis. Gainesville. FL.
- Hagan, D.L.*, S. Jose, M. Thetford, and K. Bohn. 2009. Production physiology of three native shrubs intercropped in a young longleaf pine plantation. Agroforestry Systems. 76:283-294
- Thetford, M., J.G. Norcini, B. Ballard, and J.H. Aldrich. 2009. Ornamental landscape performance of native and nonnative grasses under low input conditions. HortTechnology 19:267-285
- Miller, D.L., M Thetford & Schneider M. 2008. Distance from the Gulf Influences Survival and Growth of Three Barrier Island Dune Plants. Journal of Coastal Research. 24(3): 261-266.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two vegetative propagation experiments were initiated with woody goldenrod (Chyrsoma pauciflosculosa). For both experiments the cuttings were treated with 0, 1250, 2500 or 5000 ppm KIBA. The hardwood (dormant) cutting experiment was initiated 2/27/08 and rooting percentage of dormant cuttings appears to increase with the use of IBA and rooting percentage, root number and root length of cuttings rooted in perlite/vermiculite were the greatest at the higher auxin concentrations. A spring softwood (greenwood) cutting experiment was initiated on May 8, 2008. Winter hardwood cuttings rooted at lower percentages than cuttings from current season's growth (summer softwood). Hardwood cuttings rooted at greater percentages in Perlite/Vermiculite. Higher rates of KIBA increased the number of roots per cutting and the length of roots when perlite/vermiculite was the propagation substrate. Rates of KIBA greater then 1000 ppm were necessary to achieve a visual rating of three or greater for both substrates. For October flower (Polygonella polygama) A spring softwood (greenwood) cutting experiment was initiated on 21 May 2008. Rooting percentage, root rating and root number did not differ with Fafard and Perlite/ vermiculite. Cuttings root @ 83% without IBA and from 86 to 98% with 1000 to 5000 ppm IBA. For Sandhill wireweed (Polygonella robusta), a spring softwood (greenwood) cutting experiment was initiated 21 May 2008. The experiment included both Fafard and Perlite/vermiculite substrates. Rooting percentages did not differ among the auxin concentrations. Cuttings rooted with KIBA produced more roots than cuttings rooted without KIBA. Root length did not differ. The mean visual ratings indicate the minimum rating of 3 and would be considered a high quality rooted cutting. For Large-leaved jointweed (Polygonella macrophylla) a spring softwood cutting experiment was initiated 21 May 2008. 5000 ppm KIBA increased rooting percentages to 90% compared to 65% for cuttings rooted without KIBA. Cuttings rooted with 2500 or 5000 ppm KIBA produced twice the number of roots and had longer roots than cuttings rooted without KIBA. The mean visual ratings indicate cuttings rooted with KIBA at 2500 and 5000 ppm met the minimum rating of 3 and would be considered a high quality rooted cutting. Additionally, there have been 2 vegetative propagation experiments initiated with gopher apple (Licania michauxii). Softwood (greenwood) cutting experiments were initiated 7 May 2008 and 22 May, 2008. Both Fafard and perlite/vermiculite substrates were included in both experiments. Public demonstration and trial of woody goldenrod produced in 3 different container types was installed under two different irrigation regimes at the Milton Gardens which were the subject of field demonstrations at the annual Santa Rosa county Farm Tour attended by over 300 residents. PARTICIPANTS: A team of 3 UF faculty with specialized research and education expertise in plant propagation were funded by The Florida Wildflower Foundation with the overall objective of introducing new or underutilized native plants into our nursery and landscape industry (Mack Thetford, Sandy Wilson, Hector Perez). We selected ten native wildflower species to study using the following criteria: (1) plants have high ornamental potential for consumer demand and successful marketing and distribution, (2) plants have a functional value for dune stabilization or restoration, wildlife cover, or wildlife food source, (3) plants have been identified by native growers as good research candidates for improved germination, rooting or establishment, (4) plants are native to areas associated with natural ecosystems near one or more of the investigators research sites with known sources for permit approval and collection. Specific objectives were to evaluate the most optimal method of propagating selected native wildflowers that have ornamental potential but are underutilized in the landscape; improve plant quality by assessing container production practices such as media composition, irrigation frequency, fertilization, plant number per pot, and pruning and evaluate plant establishment and performance in west, central and south Florida landscapes. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection continues to adopt propagation and production information for use at the Plant Restoration facility located in Pensacola, FL. Thes techniques result in planting of local plants in restoration projects along the gulf coast, particularly in state parks.
Publications
- Josiah Raymer, Mack Thetford and Debbie L. Miller. 2008. Fertility Rate of Seacoast Marshelder Stock Plants Influences Cutting Production and Rooting Characteristics of Stem Cuttings. HortTechnology.18:372-378.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Public demonstration trials of Succulents in the Milton Public Gardens of the West Florida Research and Education Center were the subject of field demonstrations at the annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour attended by over 300 residents. The Florida site of a tristate Daffodil evaluation program located in the Milton Public Gardens was the subject of a Field day programs and an article in a regional newsletter published by the Friends of the Milton Gardens. Several Ornamental Grass presentations were conducted for industry and homeowner groups including a regional course at the Southern Nursery and Landscape Association Trade Show, local Master Gardener Trainings in Santa Rosa County and a lecture and field demonstration of ornamental grasses at the University of Florida North Florida Research and Education Center. A master Gardener Training on Vines for Southern Gardens was conducted in Santa Rosa County.
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Mack Thetford (PI) -designed research projects, propagated plants, secured funding, recruit, hire and manage students and research staff, conduct data analysis, prepare manuscripts and posters. Dr. J. Gibson, (collaborator) assisted with research project design and recruitment of intern. Benjamin Shepard (Graduate Student), conducted seed germination trials. Sheila K. Dunning (Graduate Student), initiated ornamental grass evaluation trials, Andrea Santilli local high school teacher hired to plant and evaluate the succulent project in year 1, develop a web page and posters. Barry Ballard (research assistant) responsible for plant production, field maintenance and plant evaluation, Melvin Gramke (student research assistant) field maintenance and plant evaluation. Judith Groninger (research assistant) plant production, filed maintenance, plant evaluation, and data management. Friends of the Milton Gardens, Inc. a Florida nonprofit organization contributed stock plant
materials, assisted with trial garden maintenance, and sponsored public programs which provided opportunities for introducing visitors to the succulent trials and bulb trials. Local high school and middle school classes visited the trial gardens and Andrea Santilli included information about succulent plants in her biology class curriculum the fall after her internship.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include the local population of Northwest Florida who may visit the research site of the Milton Public Gardens such as residents, members of Garden Clubs or nonprofit organizations such as the Friends of the Milton Gardens and Master Gardeners. Additionally, Master Gardener Coordinators, Landscape designers, installers and managers, and nursery production managers, including regional or national producers and public lands managers.
Impacts
A second year of Succulent trial data was collected and the trial terminated in 2007. A poster describing the first year landscape performance of Succulents was presented to attendees of the Southern Nursery and Landscape Association Trade Show. Succulent trials have confirmed the potential to use these plants as a component of the southern landscape. Plants have been identified that are tolerant of both irrigated and nonirrigated landscape positions. In addition, specific recommendations for selection of annual and potentially perenial succulents for irrigated and nonerrigated landscape have been identified. The multistate daffodil trail established in 2005 continues with data collection for at least 2 additional years to evaluate long-term survival, flowering, and multiplication. Based on an increased visibility of bulb sales, Garden clubs and garden centers have increased local marketing of daffodils in the past two years.
Publications
- Theford, Mack, James L. Gibson, Andrea Santilli, Barry O. Ballard, and Judith K. Groninger. 2007. Succulents for Southern Gardens. 52nd Annual Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. Vol. 52 (In Press)
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Hardy Fern and Begonia trials were terminated in 2005. Succulents were established in field trials to evaluate landscape and container performance in sun with and without supplemental irrigation. Container performance was also evaluated with the use of 4 different potting substrates. The field portion of the trial included annual selections and will be terminated after killing frost in 2006 while the container trial contains winter hardy species and will continue for a second growing season. A multistate daffodil trail established in 2005 continues with data collection for at least 3 to 5 years to evaluate long-term survival, flowering, and multiplication. A field trial to evaluate ornamental and native grass landscape performance with and without fertilization and with or without supplemental irrigation was established in 2005 and data collection continues through frost of 2006. Experiments evaluating effects of stock plant fertilization on the propagation success of
Iva imbricata were completed
Impacts
Propagation protocols developed for Iva imbricata are currently being used by local agencies that produce this plant for restoration projects on the Gulf Coast. The stock plant management system developed for this project is currently being evaluated operationally for the management of similar native beach plant stock plants propagated for restoration. Information from Hardy Fern and Begonia trials has been integrated into local and regional programs and these crops have become more visible in local markets.
Publications
- Raymer, Josiah. 2006. Gulf Coast Barrier Island Restoration: Public Demonstration and Education Production Practices for the Beach Plant Iva Imbricata and Restoration with Composite Plantings. Univerisity of Florida. Thesis
- Raymer, Josiah, Mack Thetford, Debbie Miller. 2006.Fertility affects cutting production and quality of rooted cuttings of Iva imbricata. Hortscience. Vol. 41(4):1025.
- Thetford, Mack, Debbie Miller, Kathryn Smith, and Mica Schneider. 2005. Container Size and Planting Zone Influence on Transplant Survival and Growth of Two Coastal Plants. HortTechnology 15(3) 554-559.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Hardy Ferns and Begonia were established in field trials to evaluate landscape performance in sun and shade. The trial is planned for two growing seasons to establish winter hardiness potential of the selected taxa. A multistate daffodil trial was established with plots in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. Data collection is planned for a five year period to evaluate long-term survival, flowering, and multiplication. A Field trial to evaluate ornamental and native grass landscape performance with and without fertilization and with or without supplemental irrigation was established. Survival, growth and flowering data will be collected for a minimum of two years. A diverse collection of succulents and cacti have been assembled in container culture for field and container performance trials. Selections of Cryptomeria japonica have been established in a field trial to evaluate landscape performance without supplemental irrigation. Plants will be monitored for shoot
growth and insect or disease presence will be documented through identification. Effects of stock plant fertilization on the propagation success of the beach plant Iva imbricata were evaluated. Stock plants were maintained in a nursery production system and cuttings propagated under intermittent mist.
Impacts
Landscape performance data for ornamental plants evaluated under common and extreme landscape conditions will provide information useful to homeowners, producers, retailers and breeders. The information will provide breeders with guidance for breeding programs, producers and retailers with information regarding potential new crops and the homeowner with information regarding plants that will grow successfully in their gardens. Each of these groups will realize an impact related to plant selection and performance, ultimately effecting product selection and sales. The program will also have an impact of reducing the potential to introduce or promote plants that have a potential to become invasive in our Florida landscapes.
Publications
- Regina B. Sisler, Mack Thetford, James L. Gibson, Shannon Crowley, and Barry Ballard. 2004. Hardy Begonia Trials of Florida-Milton Campus. http://wfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/gibson/Begonia_Trials/hardy_begonia _table.htm
- Regina B. Sisler, Mack Thetford, James L. Gibson, Shannon Crowley, and Barry Ballard. 2004. Hardy Fern Trials. University of Florida-Milton Campus. http://wfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/gibson/Fern_Trials/hardy_fern_table .htm
- Regina Sisler, Mack Thetford, James L. Gibson, Shannon Crowley, Barry Ballard. 2005. Hardy begonia trials at UF-Milton. 50th Annual Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. (in press)
- Regina Sisler, Mack Thetford, James L. Gibson, Shannon Crowley, Barry Ballard. 2005. Hardy begonia trials at UF-Milton. 50th Annual Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. (in press)
- Thetford, Mack and James L. Gibson. 2005. Bright Lights, Big Begonia. Ornamental Outlook. Volume 14, no 9 pp. 24-25.
- Thetford, Mack and James L. Gibson. 2005. Shedding Light on Fern Performance. Ornamental Outlook. Volume 14, no 10 pp. 38-39.
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