Plant Care & Pests

Question 1

Analysis /grade of fertilizer

Answer 1

Amounts of:
Nitrogen (N) - green & growth
Phosphorous (P205) - root growth
Potassium (K20) - disease resistance

Question 2

Organic fertilizer

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

Slow release fertilizers

Answer 3

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

Question 4

How often to apply fertilizer

Answer 4

Trees: 1 application

Young plantings: 2-3 applications

Question 5

When to fertilize

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Best time to fertilize

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

Best time to apply lime & sulfur

Answer 7

Season before

Question 8

Liquid injection

Answer 8

Rapidly absorbed by plant
corrects deficiencies quickly
Don’t inject deeper than 9” below feeder roots
Helps to prevent fertilizing turf

Question 9

Drill hole/ punch bar

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Surface app

Answer 10

Apply before slow soaking rain

Question 11

Fertilizer stakes/spikes

Answer 11

Not good system & lateral movement of fertilization is limited

Question 12

Foliar spraying

Answer 12

Corrects minor define use like iron & manganese
Does not provide macronutrients
Can correct chlorosis: several app’s

Question 13

Tree trunk injection/implants

Answer 13

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

Question 14

When to prune

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Pruning twigs & small branches

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Pruning thick heavy branches

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Shrub pruning

Answer 17

Thinning: remove branch to main stem/trunk

Heading back: shortening length of branch

Question 18

IPM

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Weed control for beds

Answer 19

• 3-4” of mulch

- pre & post-emergent

Question 20

Winter annual weeds

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Roundup

Answer 21

Glyphosate

• apply to annual & perennial weeds under 12”ht
• more effective when perennial weeds such as nutsedge, Bermuda, poison ivy, honeysuckle when flowering/fruiting

Question 22

Fertilizing Annuals, perennials & bulbs

Answer 22

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)