Ball Seed / PanAmerican Seed / Ball FloraPlant
Bedding Plant Landscape Trial Results – 2007
Trial Location: Burden Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Materials and Methods:
Seed from PanAmerican Seed and Ball Seed were received in early 2007, were sown in germination media, transplanted into 606 cell pack liners, and planted in full sun landscape trials at Burden Center, a LSU AgCenter agricultural experiment station in Baton Rouge, LA (USDA hardiness zone 8B, AHS heat zone 8). Ball FloraPlant vegetative liners were received and potted into 1801 cell packs and grown on for approximately 3-4 weeks in the greenhouse. Most of these plants were also grown at the Hammond Research Station in Hammond, LA (same climate zones as Baton Rouge location). Beds are five feet wide and raised approximately 6-8 inches above native soil. Native soil is an Oliver silt loam soil. Pine bark top-dressing was used in the raised beds on top of the native soil. Beds were located in full sun and received supplemental overhead irrigation via spray stakes as needed to prevent stress. Most plants were spaced 12-18 inches apart (somewhat dependent on the specific cultivar) with 18-24 single plant replicates per cultivar. Plants were fertilized at planting (mid-April for most cultivars) at the rate of one pound nitrogen per 1000 square feet bed area with Sta-Green Nursery Special 12-6-6. Fertilizer was applied again in mid summer at the rate of one-half pound nitrogen per 1000 square feet bed area with Sta-Green Nursery Special 12-6-6. Hand weeding and Amaze pre-emergent granular herbicide (at the recommended rate) were used for weed control. Plants were not pruned or pinched during the study. Fungicides and insecticides were not applied.
Data:
Visual quality ratings based on a scale from 1 to 5 (1=dead, 2=below average landscape performance, 3=average landscape performance, 4=above average landscape performance, 5=superior landscape performance) were taken twice monthly during the evaluation period. Included in this rating were plant foliage color and appeal, uniformity, flowering and overall growth habit.
Contact Information:
Allen Owings, Professor (Horticulture)
and
Yan Chen, Assistant Professor (Horticulture)
LSU AgCenter – Hammond Research Station
21549 Old Covington Highway
Hammond, LA 70403
Phone 985.543.4125
Fax 985.543.4124
Cell 225.603.8096
E-mail
For more information, click here.