Teagasc Advisory – Nursery stock & ornamentals newsletter

It is very welcome to see almost all Covid 19 restrictions behind since 28th of February. Some important in person events are back on the schedule again – the first IHNSA Trolley fair since 2020 will take place in Whites Agri on March 8th. It will be a great opportunity to do some business and see some friends again.

The recent storms have caused some damage across our sector, thanks fully reports here are not as bad as England and Netherlands where there has been a significant impact on nurseries. Ground conditions have become very wet making lifting trees and bare roots difficult. Delays now will see impacts as planting comes around. As temperatures begin to pick up, growth is moving on and there are opportunities for weed control with some systemic herbicides. With limited selective weed control options in the field (and container) every effort should be made to keep weeds under control. As weeds are also an alternative host for pests and disease its essential to take a little extra effort to control them now.

Liverwort control is an ongoing problem. Many growers are now using pot toppers or other barriers to limit their growth. There are few products that are safe to apply and effective at controlling the weed. Many have tried Sodium Bicarbonate though I have not found any advocates for it in Ireland. A USA publication from 2015 reviewed trials of a wide range of products- the active ingredients Flumioxazin (Summimax/ Digital and Guilotine) and Dimethanenamid P (constituent of Wing P) were some what effective and did not damage the plants. A number of effective but damaging products were seen also – Pelargonic acid, D- Limonene and Oregano oil. There are some reports from Germany that have noted the use of a foaming disinfectant Mennos Florades as being effective but short lived and safe on cuttings of Rhododendron. This report found that Flumioxazin and Dimethanid P were ineffective.

Container nutrition
Controlled release fertiliser of CRFs are already an excellent way of minimising wasted nutrients. Ahead of spring planting its worth reviewing last years growing media to see if improvements that can be made. For example some plants such as  Sisyrinchium will tolerate very high feeding regimes but equally will produce quality plants at lower fertiliser rates.
Dibbling fertiliser while potting can allow for immediate changes application rates depending plant species being potted. Tailored amounts of CRF can be applied under the plug/liner with nutrients available directly next to the roots of the young plant.
Matching release rate with crop turn can eliminate feeding plants for longer than required. If pruning plants when potting them they will have little root growth for a few weeks. A low start fertiliser can be used to reduce leaching of fertiliser.
If growers are able to grow on capillary beds they will have a much lower demand for CRF as there is less leaching. Traditionally half rate of CRF are used with capillary beds. Production under cover will also have a lower level of leaching compared to out door production and required a lower base level of fertiliser.
Dibbling and reduced nutrient levels should have the additional benefit of reduced liverwort growth.
Image above container plant nutrition trials in PCS Destelberg, Belgium.

Spent growing medium and disposal
While every effort is made on nurseries to minimise waste there will always be a need for some disposal of old or diseased stock and growing medium. With the use of controlled release fertiliser there is a small residual nutrient value in the growing medium as well as high organic content. The nutritional value of the used medium means its a useful material (never a waste product) that is often land spread by local farmers.
To adhere to the Nitrates Directive farmers must record nutrients being used and manure being transferred between farms. To do this The Department of Agriculture Form 3 should be filled in. This form must be signed by both the exporter and importer.
Quality Assurance Schemes are seeking such details from growers to address the topic also. I suggest that growers using land spreading of used growing medium make an estimate of the residual nutrient value based on initial nutrients added and longevity of the fertiliser. Record the volumes being spread also.

Burning of green waste – extension given
The burning of household, garden, commercial or industrial waste is not permitted under the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009. There have been a number of exemptions for burning green waste for the last long number of years however it looks like a final deadline of January the 1st 2022 will get an additional final exemption. TD Eamonn Ryan Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has given what he said may be the last exemption for burning until January 1st 2023. The burning of green waste is a matter of concern to The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications as it leads to localised air pollution.

Flower Trials Teagasc Tour June 14-16th

The Flower Trials offers a great opportunity to see the latest innovations in plant breeding and marketing. Leading young plant producers will open their doors and invite growers and customers to meet the teams. Bedding, pot plant, cut flowers, orchid and rose plant and seed producers will be open to the trade. It is planned that over three days we will visit a range of companies and some productions sites. Key companies include: Florensis, Volmary, Van der Haak, Schneider, Pan American/Ball Colegrave, Benary, Syngenta Flowers, Beekenkamp, Selecta One, Danziger and Dummen Orange.
A number of people have already booked space and there are just a few spaces left. If you are interested in joining the group please see basic details here (pdf) and contact me for the full itinerary.

Dates For Your diary

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR