Chapter 24Shrubs and Trees

Container Grown Trees and Shrubs are very popular nowadays.

Advantages of Container Growing:

Sold and transplanted year-round Plants can be grown in the same

area Uniform growing medium Plants require no digging or balling

of roots Growing medium is usually lighter

than soil Container protects the root ball Growing medium is generally

sterilized Cost lower

Disadvantages of Container Growing:

Initial cost higher. Personnel must be trained in potting

technique. More water is required If plants are over wintered, some

protection must be provided Transplanting to the landscape is

more difficult for some plants because the soil less mixes

If left in containers too long, plants develop a circular pot-bound root system.

Types of Plants Grown in Containers:

Garden flowers Herbaceous

perennials Ground cover Vines Broadleaf evergreen

shrubs Narrow leaf

evergreen shrubs Deciduous trees

Site: You need:

Windbreak – Strong winds can blow over containers

Weed Control – black plastic or groundcover fabric, or stones on the soil surface.

Containers must have or be:

Durable Insulated Good drainage Size of container Cost Appearance Shape

New Container Designs:

Field grow fabric containers

Using copper spray to stop roots growing in a circle

Pot in Pot

Growing Mixes:Good growing medium must include:

Good drainage Good aeration Hold moisture well Hold plant nutrients Have proper PH range Be sterilize of insects, weeds Be economical and easily

obtained Be consistent in quality Encourage good root

development Transplant well to the soil in the

plant’s permanent location

Planting & Container Spacing

Done by hand Some nurseries

have machines, but most don’t

Can touch each other, but don’t crowd

Watering – depends on many factors

Weather Plant growth Planting medium Kind of plant Size of container Type of container Container surface

mulch

Types of watering systems:

Hand watering

Trickle Tube Systems

Overhead Irrigation

Fertilizers:

Liquid

Slow Release

Disease and Insect Control:

Have sterile plant medium, containers, and growing site.

Pruning & Winter Storage

PRUNING: WINTER STORAGE

Mainly done to shape the plant or make it more compact

Place in greenhouse Mulch around

container Use thermo blankets Watch of rodent

damage.

Marketing & Transplanting

MARKETING TRANSPLANTING FROM THE CONTAINER

Spring and Fall the best

Biggest problem The root system drying

out Not adapting to its new

environment. Reasons why: soilless

mediums; thus add organic matter.

The End!