ORNAMENTAL PRODUCTION

A Growers Guide to Producing Poinsettias
Over the years poinsettia varieties and production practices have changed but many of the problems remain the same. We hope you will enjoy this reprinted article from the September, 1994 issue of the Texas Greenhouse Bulletin.
Author: Don C. Wilkerson

Air, Water and Media...Putting Them All Together
The relationship between growing medium, air, and water is one of the least understood aspects in the production of greenhouse and nursery crops.

Best Management Practices
Environmental issues are playing an important role in the development of the nursery/floral industry. Federal, state, and even local regulations are establishing new standards for the preservation of our natural resources.

Calculating Parts Per Million
Greenhouse growers frequently express the concentration of fertilizers, in terms of parts per million (ppm). This unit of measure is relatively unique to the greenhouse industry and often there is some confusion on how ppm is calculated.

Diagnosing Nutritional Deficiencies
The correct diagnosis of nutritional deficiencies is important in maintaining optimum plant growth. The recognition of these symptoms allows growers to "fine tune" their nutritional regime as well as minimize stress conditions.

Fertilizing Nursery and Floral Crops
Proper nutrition is one of the most critical factors in the production of nursery/floral crops. Generally speaking, most of these plant materials may be classified as "heavy feeders", requiring relatively large quantities of fertilizers.

Fertilizing Woody Ornamentals
Attractive trees and shrubs are important components in all well-landscaped properties. Planned maintenance and care are essential for keeping them healthy and vigorous.
Authors: Douglas F. Welsh, Everett E. Janne, Calvin Finch

Identifying Secondary and Micronutrient Deficiencies
The correct diagnosis of micronutrient deficiencies is important in maintaining optimum plant growth. The recognition of these symptoms allows growers to "fine tune" their nutritional regime as well as minimize stress conditions.
Author: Don C. Wilkerson

Introduction to Water Quality Management
The use of fertilizers and pesticides is a very important aspect of the commercial production of high quality greenhouse crops. In the Unites States alone, agricultural applicators have increased the use of nitrogen fertilizers from 2 million tons in 1955 to more than 12 million tons in 1990.

Magnesioum Nutrition
Most fertility programs are designed around the macronutrients (N,P,K). In fact, when we discuss these fertility regimes we usually describe them as 150 parts per million (ppm) or 200 ppm, etc.

Managing and Disposing of Pesticide Wastes
Management and disposal of pesticide wastes are a major problem for greenhouse and nursery producers. Improper handling of these chemicals poses a real threat to the environment, as well as to the health and safety of laborers.

Managing Soluble Salts
The presence of excessive soluble salts is perhaps the most limiting factor in the production of greenhouse crops. Generally speaking salt accumulations result from the use of poor quality irrigation water, over fertilization or growing media with an inherently high salt content.

Micronutrient Management
Plant nutrition is extremely important in the production of foliage, flowering and bedding plants.

Monitoring the Quality of Irrigatiion Water
Irrigation water is a key factor in the production of nursery and greenhouse crops. Therefore it is important to monitor quality standards on a frequent basis to avoid potential problems.

Nitrogen and Nitrogen Fertilizers
Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient in manipulating plant growth. Most nursery/floral producers use large quantities of N fertilizers in a "blanket" attempt to meet the needs of their crops.

Potting Plugs
Sometimes the simplest of things can be extremely complex. Take potting and transplanting plugs. This is one of the most basic functions in crop production but if plants are not handled properly at this stage, big problems can arise. Mistakes during potting and transplanting are magnified because of the repetitive nature of the entire process.

Roses: How to Plant
Planning a rose garden? If this is your first attempt, begin on a small scale. A dozen well-cared-for plants will produce more flowers and give greater pleasure than 4 or 5 dozen poorly cared for plants that take all your space and time.
Author: Everett E. Janne

Rose Propagation from Cuttings
One of the joys of growing old roses is the fact that most of them thrive as own root plants; that is, they will grow well - or better - from cuttings as they do when grafted onto a rootstock, the way most modern roses are grown and sold
Author: William C. Welch

Treating and Recycling Irrigation Runoff
The potential contamination of surface and groundwater from runoff presents a major challenge for the greenhouse industry. Growers rely heavily on the use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as water, to produce quality crops.