Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The research projects during this reporting period focused on plant trials and production method trials. These trials will be shared with and can impact several audiences including homeowners (proven plants to purchase and new methods to grow them), plant breeders (new cultivars that will be appropriate for vertical gardening), plant growers (knowing which plants will do well and which to produce to meet the demands), and retail garden centers (plants to purchase and new ways to market plants as vertical-friendly). Efforts are being made to prepare the publications from the research projects to share with all audiences. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Findings for these studies have been published in theses, but have not been dissimated broadly to the public or industry. Publications are in process to make these findings known. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Because the first and second goals of this research were completed earlier in the project, the focus for the final report is on goal 3 - evaluate and promote plant material for the state of Alabama and Southeast region. Several cool and warm season bedding plants were and continue to be evaluated. Not only were the individual plants trialed, but combinations were also judged. Color combination preferences were noticed during the trials which could be helpful to growers and retailers in marketing their plants. Edible crops were also trialed both on vertical structures and traditional production methods. Recommendations will be able to be made on the success of the crops as well as the crops that did best on the vertical structures. These findings will be helpful for retailers by providing another marketing possibility for plants they may already sell. The vertical structures themselves, how they should be built, irrigated, positioned, and how to manage the plants differently while on a vertical structure are all still under review.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Baugh, Monte. 2015. Evaluating Ornamental Performance and Public Perceptions of Cool-Season Annual Bedding Plants within Alabama Public Gardens: A Partnership of Green Industry Groups. MS Thesis.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Pettus, Hanna. 2015. Performance of Elm Taxa in Auburn, AL. MS Thesis.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Heath, Hilary. 2016. Evaluation of an A-frame Vertical Growing Structure Using: Amaranthus tricolor, Beta vulgaris Detroit Dark Red, and Ocimum basilicum Cardinal Basil. MS Thesis.
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project is the Alabama Green Industry as well as Green Industry consumers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of previous trials have been disseminated through the mail to members of the Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will be finishing up the graduate student who is working with trial gardens and public gardens across the state and reporting those findings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The first two goals have been accomplished in previous years. The third goal of promoting plant material is an ongoing process. We had one graduate student that finished in December of 2012 and his findings on a group of plants were mailed to the members of the ALNLA. Another graduate student started a trial research project during the fall of 2013, but we have nothing to report yet. Another of our graduate students interned with the Alabama Extension Service. While she did not directly work with trial gardens, she was able to promote the Green Industry and help consumers of our Green Industry make more informed decisions.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rogers, L. (2013) Weathering the Drought. Alabama Gardener 12(5):12-15.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rogers, L. (2013) Ask the Expert. Alabama Gardener 12(4):6-7.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rogers, L. (2013) Ask the expert. Alabama Gardener 12(6):6-7.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rogers, L. (2013) Alabama Tidbits: Epiphytes. Alabama Gardener 12(8):8.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rogers, L. (2013) Ask the expert. Alabama Gardener 12(3):6-7.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Over the spring and summer of 2012, six cultivars of coleus and angelonia were evaluated for full sun landscape performance. Measurements and ratings were taken twice a month. Industry and consumer surveys were conducted asking for most preferred cultivars as well as interest in a statewide plant promotion program and preferred means of information dissemination. PARTICIPANTS: Christopher Swindle (graduate student) and Carolyn Robinson. Swindle implemented, maintained, and evaluated the trial garden. Swindle and Robinson created surveys and analyzed the data from those surveys. Robinson provided guidance for the the entire study. The Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association partnered with this project to provide the population of industry represented in the surveys as well as suggestions for plant materials. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience includes both green industry professionals and consumers of plant products. The industry professionals includes nursery and greenhouse growers, retail garden centers, as well as maintenance and installation companies. The surveys themselves act as an education element because they suggest the possibility of something or some program. These can then be pulled through the market by consumers making requests of industry professionals. The research results report sent to the industry gave them a brief overview of both the indsutry survey and the consumer survey so they can make more informed decisions about the way to market in the future. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The trial as well as the surveys performed with industry and the general public both aid in the goals of this project. The industry has shown interest in a promotion program that promotes trialed plants. The trial portion of this project has helped us develop a protocol for trialing the plants. The surveys to industry have confirmed their desire for a promotion program and have shown us how they would like to receive the information from the trials which for the majority was through the internet. Surveys to the general public also confirmed interest in a statewide program with the majority of consumers indicating a willingness to pay more for trialed plants. A brief research results report for the industry was created that showed the industry and consumer favorites for the two different plants trialed as well as gave highlights of the overall surveys.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A trial garden was established and surveys were created to find out the interest from the Green Industry in having a trial/promotion program and how that information should be disseminated. Industry professionals were also asked their opinions on the two specific plants that were trialed - Coleus sp. and Angelonia angustifolia. Participation was very limited so plans were made to put the survey online and repeat the study during the spring of 2012. A field day was held August 8, 2011 on the Auburn University campus at the trial garden site. Industry members were in attendance and a number of them took surveys on site. PARTICIPANTS: Principle Investigator - Carolyn W. Robinson guided the process throughout the year. Helped develop surveys and led the field day. Graduate Assistant - Christopher Swindle procured plant material, planted and monitored the plants in the trial. He also administered the surveys. Partner organizations include the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association that provided input on the plant selections and the members of this organization are our targets for surveys. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries provided this project with financial support. Training was provided to the graduate student on trial gardens, plant care, data collection, and survey creation. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project is the Alabama Green Industry, many of which are members of the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association. The efforts made include the field day which invited all members of the ALNLA to attend a meeting to learn about the project and plants that were being trialed. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No major modifications to report.
Impacts
The main outcome/impact for 2011 was our trial garden field day on August 8, 2011. This provided the opportunity for industry members to come hear about the research and plans for the trial program as well as see 8 cultivars each of Coleus sp and Angelonia angustifolia. They also provided us with information on how they would like to see the program progress and how they would like the information disseminated.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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