Plant Care & Pests Flashcards
Analysis /grade of fertilizer
Amounts of:
Nitrogen (N) - green & growth
Phosphorous (P205) - root growth
Potassium (K20) - disease resistance
Organic fertilizer
Derived from living plant or animal
Nitrogen slow to break down b/c it is NH2 & must be Boleyn down by microorganisms to ammonium (NH4) & Nitrate (NO3)
Slow release fertilizers
Slow release rate
Can add more & fertilize less frequently
Nitrogen is used more efficiently thus contributing less to water pollution
They can be organic or inorganic
How often to apply fertilizer
Trees: 1 application
Young plantings: 2-3 applications
When to fertilize
Just before new growth & stop by late summer
Active growing times: early spring & fall so apply about 2 weeks before: gives N enough to get to root zone for absorption
Ground should be moist
Best time to fertilize
Just before planting so that it is mixed in thoroughly to root zone
- phosphorous is the most important at this time
- inorganic is not best at this time b/c they leach too easily& can cause damage to tender roots
- (compost or fish emulsion best)
Best time to apply lime & sulfur
Season before
Liquid injection
Rapidly absorbed by plant
corrects deficiencies quickly
Don’t inject deeper than 9” below feeder roots
Helps to prevent fertilizing turf
Drill hole/ punch bar
Opens compacted soils
Holes to be made in concentric circles or grid
Start 2-3’ from main stem & end 3-6’ past drip line holes are 24” o.c. & 6-9” deep
Place fertilizer in holes & cover with organic material
Helps to prevent fertilizing turf
Surface app
Apply before slow soaking rain
Fertilizer stakes/spikes
Not good system & lateral movement of fertilization is limited
Foliar spraying
Corrects minor define use like iron & manganese
Does not provide macronutrients
Can correct chlorosis: several app’s
Tree trunk injection/implants
Best to correct iron & manganese
Good option for areas of high moisture, adverse pH, other options not practical
Holes at trunk root flare - heal in 1 grow season
When to prune
Spring flower trees & shrubs: after they bloom
Deciduous summer flowering trees & shrubs: when dormant before spring growth
Conifers: when candles are 2-6” long
Broadleaf conifers: anytime, but renewal pruning should be January to March
Pruning twigs & small branches
- cut to bud or intersecting branch
- choose bud that faces desired direction of new growth
- choose lateral branch that is no more than 45 degrees from branch being removed & that is half of diameter of branch being removed
Pruning thick heavy branches
Cut back to collar of branch as to not remove protective zone for healing
When cutting branches over 1.5”d - use 3 part cut
Shrub pruning
Thinning: remove branch to main stem/trunk
Heading back: shortening length of branch
IPM
Integrated pest management (best management practices)
- Select plants properly/resistant varieties
- use chemicals as last resort
- proper timing
- monitor plantings carefully & frequently
- know typical problems of particular plants & how to detect problems early
Weed control for beds
- 3-4” of mulch
- pre & post-emergent
Winter annual weeds
Weeds: henbit, poa annua, chickweed
Sept 1- Oct 1: fluazifop (Ornamec,Take-Away) or sethoxydum (Vantage) to Annual grasses 2-8”ht or Bermuda 3”ht with 4-8” runners
Apply to actively growing/ healthy grass
Roundup
Glyphosate
- apply to annual & perennial weeds under 12”ht
- more effective when perennial weeds such as nutsedge, Bermuda, poison ivy, honeysuckle when flowering/fruiting
Fertilizing Annuals, perennials & bulbs
Annuals: 10-10-10 when planted & then at 6-8 week intervals
Perennials: when planted & then once a year
Bulbs: when planting (inorganic fertilizer not to come in direct contact with bulb)
