Greenhouse and Landscape Performance of Bedding Plants in Biocontainers

Abstract

<jats:p>Biodegradable and plastic containers were evaluated for greenhouse and landscape production of ‘Score Red’ geranium (<jats:italic>Pelargonium</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>hortorum</jats:italic>), ‘Grape Cooler’ vinca (<jats:italic>Catharanthus roseus</jats:italic>), or ‘Dazzler Lilac Splash’ impatiens (<jats:italic>Impatiens wallerana</jats:italic>) at Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge, LA; Longwood Gardens (LWG), Kennett Square, PA; and University of Arkansas (UA), Fayetteville, AR. Of the 5-inch containers, the highest geranium and vinca shoot growth occurred in plastic containers compared with bioplastic and rice straw containers. Of the 4-inch containers, paper containers produced the greatest geranium shoot growth compared with the peat containers at LSU and LWG. Shoot growth in impatiens was similar for all container types at all three locations. When all container types were considered, there was no difference in the root growth of geranium or impatiens at all three locations. However, vinca had the highest root growth in paper containers compared with that in peat and coconut fiber. The root:shoot (R:S) ratio of geranium were mixed for all pot sizes, types, and locations. Vinca R:S ratio was highest in both the 4- and 5-inch plastic control containers at LSU and lowest in both plastic containers at LWG. Direct plant containers generally performed well in the landscape as the plants grown in plastic containers at LWG. Plants grown in all tested containers produced marketable plants for both the retail and landscape markets. However, growers and landscapers should be aware of growth differences that may occur when using biodegradable containers and align production practices accordingly.</jats:p>

Seasonal Growth and Nitrogen Uptake of Encore Azalea ‘Chiffon’ Affected by Nitrogen Availability and Containers

“…Such a significant difference occurred in September on 13 Sept. or 26 Sept., and this trend remained to the end of the growing season on 3 Dec. Sustainable alternative containers of various types have been reported to produce plants of similar quality compared with conventional plastic containers (Beeks and Evans, 2013;Koeser et al, 2013b;Kuehny et al, 2011;Li et al, 2015Li et al, , 2019. Paper (also referred to as wood pulp) biocontainers pro-duced river birch (Betula nigra) plants of comparable PGI and plant biomass to plastic containers in a pot-in-pot production system (Li et al, 2015).…”

“…Biodegradable containers, also referred as biocontainers, have been investigated in recent years as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic containers (Hall et al, 2010;Nambuthiri et al, 2015;White, 2009). A variety of biocontainers made from materials such as peat, manure, coir, straw, and wood fiber have been evaluated and found to produce plants of comparable quality to traditional plastic containers (Koeser et al, 2013a;Kuehny et al, 2011). Depending on the hydrophilic or hydrophobic materials that constitute the biocontainers, plants grown in biocontainers have various water-use characteristics, with some of them requiring more water or more frequent irrigation than plastic containers (Evans and Karcher, 2004;Evans et al, 2010;Koeser et al, 2013b).…”

Mineral Nutrient Uptake of Encore Azalea ‘Chiffon’ Affected by Nitrogen, Container, and Irrigation Frequency

“…Biocontainers made from various biodegradable materials have been investigated as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic containers for various crops and production systems Evans, 2013a, 2013b;Evans and Hensley, 2004;Evans and Karcher, 2004;Kuehny et al, 2011;Li et al, 2015Li et al, , 2018Li et al, , 2019White, 2009). They were reported to have varying physical properties, water consumption characteristics, and influences on plant growth.…”

“…They were reported to have varying physical properties, water consumption characteristics, and influences on plant growth. A variety of biocontainers made from peat, manure, coir, straw, and wood fiber have been found to produce plants with quality similar to that of plants grown in traditional plastic containers (Koeser et al, 2013;Kuehny et al, 2011). Decomposition of feather containers provides an additional N source and resulted in greater dry shoot weights of 'Janie Bright Yellow' marigold (Tagetes patula L.), 'Cool Blush' vinca (Catharanthus roseus L.), and 'Orbit Cardinal' geranium (Pelargonium ·hortorum L.H.…”

Impact of Biocontainers on Plant Performance and Container Decomposition in the Landscape

“…Most plantable biocontainers are made from highly porous materials (e.g., peat, wood fiber, or manure) that may provide little resistance to water loss from the root zone to the surrounding soil in the landscape (Koeser, 2013). Furthermore, it is believed that some biocontainers (e.g., peat) may wick water up out of the root zone if not sufficiently buried (Kuehny et al, 2011). 'Cooler Blush' vinca and 'Dazzler Rose Star' new guinea impatiens plants grown in feather and peat containers required more water and more frequent irrigations than those grown in plastic containers (Evans and Karcher, 2004).…”