RElSEARCH fRESULTS FOR. NURSERX1ElN
Tok Furuta
Hlorticul.ture Series No. 1
AGRICULTURE EXERIMENT STATION
AUDURN UIVERSIT
E. V . Smith, Director
Auburn, Alabama
May, 1960
PACKING AND SHIPPING OF HORTICULTURAL SPECIALTY CROPS
I. Use of Polyethylene film for LCL shipments of deciduous ornamentals
(Furuta, Pate and Perry - Auburn)l
The value of Polyethylene film and the kraft papers laminated
with Polyethylene in the movement of plants through the mail is well known.
Results of a series of experiments over several years duration showed that
the same materials can be used with subsequent savings in marketing 
cost
in LCL shipments. The saviigs in marketing cost resulted from a reduction
of transportation cost. In the first of the experiment, a standard bale
of 100 plants cost $2.09 to express to Aiburn, Alabama. 
A similar 100 plants
were shipped for $1.37 by the use of plastic film and the 
elimination of the
moist packing around the roots. The cost of the materials for the pack
varied. In this test, it was calculated that the cost of the paper in the
check treatment was 6.9 cents per bale and the cost 
of the Polyethylene
film was 17.6 cents. The greater material cost only partially 
offset the
savings in transportation cost.
The cost of labor and the time involved in the actual baling 
of the
plants for shipment remained approximately the same regardless 
of the materials
used. Time studies during the experiment revealed that it took one man 
15
minutes to bale the 100 plants for shipment.
The regular nursery packing crew handled these materials and pre-
pared the packages. They objected to the use of the film chiefly because
they were not accustomed to its feel and use.
Labor required in packing the plants was reduced by the use of a
box lined with the plastic film. Use of plastic lining eliminated the need
of a moist packing around the roots. The transportation 
cost of this
comparison was for the standard bale, 74 cents, and for the boxed plants,
59 cents. The box and lining cost 
more than the paper and burlap of 
the
bale.
The use of the plastic film prevented drying 
out of the roots of
the plants during shipment. This was true whether the entire 
plant or only
the roots were enclosed with plastic.
Crushing of the roots, or their breakage 
during shipment was not
severe when only plastic film was used. Bales arrived 
with some puncture
holes. However, this did not influence the survival 
of the plants after
planting. Where it was necessary to use some packing, 
dry materials were
used with success.
The time of harvesting the plants influenced 
the effectiveness of
the packing treatments somewhat. There was evidence that the plastic
wrapping was superior probably because of reduced moisture loss from the
plants. This was especially important for plants that were dug early in
the season.
Earliness of harvest influenced the storage life 
of the plants and
the number of flowers the following year on those plants that initiate
flower buds the summer before flowering. The 
earlier the plants were harvested
(from Sept. thru Dec.) the fewer the number of flower on the plants 
the follow-
ing year. (This was true with the Pink Almond Cherry, Winter Jasmine, and
Flowering Quince.)
1 Chief personnel concerned and location of experiment.
- 2.-
The early harvested plants were in poorer condition upon removal
from storage than the later harvested plants. This was due partially to
the length of storage and partially to the condition of the plants when
placed into storage. On many plants harvested in September and 
October,
the leaves had to be pulled from the plants before they could be stored.
Late winter and spring shipments of plants responded differently
to the use of plastic than did mid-winter shipments. More plant damage
was noticed when the plants were in the plastic wrap and subjected to warm
temperatures. Cold or freezing did not affect the plants more in plastic
than in the standard bale. Late in the shipping season, the use 
of plastic
should probably be avoided due to the danger of greater plant damage.
II. Studies on shipping broadleaf greens (Furuta 
and Self - Auburn and
Spring Hill)
Similar studies to those reported above were conducted on 
broadleaf
evergreens. Sealing in a plastic bale seemed to be undesirable 
for these
plants. However, using a box lined with plastic did not 
result in plant
damage. Plastic film could be used in place of 
other paper now being used.
However, there is not sufficient reason 
to change procedures at the present
time.
III. Insulation of shipping container (Furuta - Auburn)
Under certain conditions it is desirable to insulate 
the shipping
container to protect plants from low temperature. 
Experiments on this
problem revealed the following
1. The temperature along the bottom of the box drops 
most rapidly
and plants here will be the first to show 
signs of freezing.
2. Added insulation along the bottom of the container 
will help
to retard this temperature drop even without added 
insulation
in the sides or the top of the box.
3. Newspaper was an excellent insulation material.
4. Insulation materials made from 
cellulose crepe were no better
than 10 sheets of newspaper at best.
* lI ~ ,-* *
f L:."
.3 w
IV. Influence of container on sale of nursery stock in Garden Centers
(Furuta, Pate and Perry - Auburn)
To date it has not been possible to detect the effect of the con-
tainer on the sales of plants. Containers used in a study 
with Roundleaf
Japanese Holly were Plastican #170 in red, shades of 
gray, black and pink
colors; Plantainer in silver and green; and Nurserican in silver and green.
Azaleas were tested in some of the above containers as well as rusty and
black reclaimed No. 10 food cans.
There was a tremendous influence on the appearance of the sales
area. However, the customers were interested primarily 
in the plant. This
was especially true with plants that have showy flowers 
any plant in flower
usually sold first.
V. Sealing Azaleas in plastic (Furuta and Perry - Auburn)
Azalea plants were wrapped in plastic in various ways so that roots
alone, or roots and tops were sealed in the film. This was to study whether
there was any merit in sealing Azaleas in bags for better keeping quality in
sales areas. It was concluded that it is undesirable to seal Azalea plants
in plastic for any extended period of time. Doing so resulted in yellowing
and deterioration of the foliage. This detracted from the sales appeal of
the plant, although this leaf damage did not result in 
reduced growth or
survival after planting out. Nor did complete enclosure result in better
plants or increased survival after the plants were planted out.
VI. Root wrapping of broadleaf evergreens (Furuta and Perry - Auburn)
In some cases it is desirable or necessary to move broadleaf ever-
greens bare rooted. Use of moist packing material such as sphagnum moss
improved the survival of the plants even when plastic film 
was used around
the roots. However, none of the bare root treatments were as good 
as the
standard B&B method when the growth of the plants was considered. 
All bare
rooted plants deteriorated rapidly. Best results with bare root plants were
obtained when moist sphagnum was used around the roots, the roots 
and sphagum
were covered with plastic, and the plants were planted soon 
after harvesting.
sM r .. r mm " iso .. .W .
PlROPAGATION OF pLANTS
I. Mist propagation 0?f some Malus species (Furuta Auburn)
Studies were conducted on the rooting of
species. Those cuttings used were; East Mailing
Malus q w -nd Malus halli.ana parkimanii .
may be summarized as followsa
cuttings of several M alus
7 and 9 rootstock, Anoka,
The results of this experiment
1. Fewer cuttings died when the beds were open rather than enclosed
but more cuttings rooted when the beds were covered in a plastic
cover.
2. Fewer cuttings died when the electronic leaf was used rather than
the interrupted mist, but the rooting percentage was approximately
the same.
3. There was little influence on rooting by hormone and anti-transpirant
treatment.
4. Early May cuttings (at Auburn) rooted better than late May cuttings.
II. Influence of Gibberellin treatment on seed germination (Furuta Auburn)
Soaking seeds of Camellia saws 'Texas Star', Cmllajpoia
Que c j lb, and Cornus f o~d in a Gibberellin solution resulted in faster
germination . The optimum concentration for the 24 hour s oak ing was :Cae41,
saa u 'Texas Star' 100 parts per million; Q L4a .aponica 50t
100 parts per million; White oak -- 100 parts per millipns and the flowering
dogwood -500 parts per mill ion. Note that the flowering dogwood seeds had
not been stratified before this treatment. Use of Gibbereiin in talc was
not effective in the concentration used (0. 88%) .
III. Propagation of silver Spreading Redc edar (Orr- Auburn)
Cuttings were made on April 1 and the degree of rooting observed
on Hay 29. These results are of interest~
Trpnfr* i i+A-3 n A i ri T r4 t Y.h--
Tip of shoot,
Median of shoot
Baalorton of shoot
Heal cutting
Hormocdin No . 3
Hormodin No* 3
Horniodin No 
. 3
Rainbow, Tender
Rainbow, Semi-woody
Rainbow,. Woody
Hormiodin No. 3
Hormtodin No. 3.
None
52.7
43.3
32.0
m
40. 0
43.5
38.2
58.0
1.4
0.0
1 V %j i Ri tri V .Lk i K u-e' JOIL 1. 4, ,l, d LCL .1 " .l
Irru --sun"u
r r r rr r u~e *-ago
Aqr ran . TonnM npr
PRODUCTION OF PLANTS IN CONTAINERS
I. Garden Chrysanthemums in containers (Furuta and 1artin - Auburn)
Garden Chrysanthemums are 
excellent plants to grow 
in containers
for fall sales. They transplant 
easily even in full flower, 
and serve as
a means of very rapidly 
adding color to the yard. 
Container grown plants
transplanted better than bed 
grown plants.
One plant in a container 
of about 3 quarts capacity 
was found to be
the best. The larger the container 
used, the larger the plant at 
the end
of the season. Use of more than 
one plant in a container was not 
desirable
All the varieties tested did 
well in containers. The rooted 
cuttings
or small plants should be planted 
in the containers in June or early 
July.
Constant attention must be paid to spraying 
for insect and disease control,
pinching of the shoots to develop 
compact plants (stop on August 
1) and
to proper fertilization. Any good 
soil mixture should be satisfactory.
II. Site preparation for 
container plants (Furuta and Martin 
- Auburn)
The following bases for container 
plants were compared: concrete,
asphalt, sawdust, and crushed 
gravel (road slag).
Air temperature: the base influenced 
the air temperature among a
group of containers. These measurements 
were made 12" above the surface.
During the winter, the lowrest temperature 
was recorded above the sawdust
base, with the temperature above 
the asphalt just about as cold. 
The
temperature above the concrete and 
gravel was about the same and 
warmer
than the other two. It has been 
shown a number of times that greater 
injury
to plants occurs during the 
winter when they are mulched. 
This is also true
with containers set upon mulching 
material such as sawdust. These 
materials
insulate the surface preventing 
soil heat to be radiated. The maximum
temperatures reached 
during the winter 
was the same for all 
bases.
During the summer, the night 
temperature above the asphalt 
base was
warmer than the other three. 
The maximum temperature reached 
was about the
same.
The location of the measurement 
in a group of containers made 
a
difference in the temperature recorded. 
Along the western edge was the
warmest, both in maxd.mum and 
minimum temperature recorded. 
The next warmest
was along the southern edge. Along the northern 
and eastern edge, and among
the plants the temperature was about 
the same, being lower than either 
the
western or southern edges.
The base did not influence the maximum 
temperature reached by the soil
in the containers during the summer.
Plant gro4h: Nor was there any 
appreciable influence on plant growth
of Roundleaf Japanese Holly. The 
only difference was the rooting out 
of the
drainage hole of plants on the sawdust 
base.
-6.-
Recommendation: Road slag (or other gravel) was the best material in
this comparison from. the standpoint of cost and useability.
III. Plant container for woody plants (Furuta and Martin - Auburn)
A number of different types of containers were used 
to determine
their suitability for woody plants. Among those used were 
Plastican #170 -
red, pink, light grey, dark gray, and black in color; 
Plantainer - green
or silver color; Nurserican #6 - silver or green color; and 
untreated No.
10 food cans.
Container on soil temperature: Measurements of 
the maximum soil
temperature were made in the containers located in the western 
row. Agair t
the side of the container, the western side, 
the two silver containers were
the coolest, and the green, red, black and untreated, 
rusty containers
were the warmest. All other colors were intermediate 
between these two
extremes. The type of container, plastic or metal, 
did not appreciably in-
fluence the temperature recorded.
There was a definite relation of the temperature 
recorded and the
presence of roots. Few or no roots were present on the 
western side of
the darker containers exposed to the west. More 
roots were present in the
silver containers. Many were evident on the eastern 
side. This condition
prevailed only on the plants in the western 
row of the group of plants. On
the eastern row, the situation was reversed and 
was not as severe.
Location of container on soil temperature: After 
the plants became
large enough to shade adjacent containers, 
the warmest location was on the
western side of containers exposed to the 
west. The next warmest was the
eastern side of containers exposed to the east. 
All other locations measured
recorded about the same temperature (the southern 
and northern sides were
not measured) and were cooler than either 
of the above locations.
Temperature gradient in the soil 
of one container: The warmest location
was the western side of the container 
next to the container, with the sout1ern
edge next. The other two sides were cooler. 
The temperatures recorded in
one test were as follows; 
western side - 1160 F; 
southern side - 1050 
F;
northern and eastern sides - 103
? 
F. Two inches from the side of the con-
tainer, the western side was stillthe warmest, 
being about as warm as the
eastern and northern edge (1030 F). All other locations 
were about the
same and cooler, measuring 100 to 1010 F. The 
container color influenced
the temperature recorded, but did not 
influence the pattern of temperatures
recorded.
Soil temperature and root growth: Soil temperature has 
a complex
influence on root growth. This has not been studied 
with the Roundleaf
Japanese Holly. Based on research with other plants, 
however, in general
terms, the temperature limits for growth of roots seem to 
lie between 320
and 122
? 
F. As the temperature increases from 
320, there will be an increase
in growth, then a decrease after the optimum 
temperature range is exceeded.
Roots seem to be less resistant to injury by high temperatures 
than the
aerial portions of the plants. In 
some cases, high nitrogen levels have
been shown to result in greater injury 
due to high soil temperatures. In
addition to its influence on growth 
and survival of the roots, high 
temper-
atures influence absorption of fertilizer 
elements, plant disease organism,
-a7 -
and many other properties of the soil complex. 
Growth of the plant will
be a summation to all these various influences. Since 
the measurements
recorded indicate that the temperature reached is high enough 
to reduce
growth of the roots, or even to kill the roots, every 
precaution should
be taken to maintain as low soil temperature in the container 
as possible
during the summer.
Plant growth: The plants were regularly sheared during the spring
and summer. More compact plants developed in the lighter color containers
than in the darker containers.
Recommendation: The lighter color containers should be used where-
ever practical for the production of woody plants.
Notes on Plastican #170: While excellent for the culture of woody
plants, some difficulties were noted by those handling these containers
in our experiment.
1. During potting, too much pressure on the soil caused the container
to split.
2. During cold weather, the plastic, normally quite flexible, became
hard, stiff, and broke rather easily with rough handling.
3. Picking up the plant by the rim of the container would result in
a broken container. Employee training should eliminate these
difficulties.
The plastic container maintained the original appearance better than the
painted metal container in the open exposed to full sun. In some cases,
drainage from the plastic container was better because: 1. The container
is constructed so that the center portion of the bottom is slightly higher
than the sides. 2. The drainage holes were not stopped with rust or other
debris during the test.
IV. Methods of fertilizing container grown plants (Furuta and Martin - Aubirn)
Studies were conducted on methods and materials for the fertilization
of woody plants growing in metal containers. The cultivars used were; Ilex
aquipernyi 'Brilliant', l2lex cornuta 'Burford', Ile cornuta rotunda, Ilex
cornuta femina, Ilex crenata 'Convexleaf', Ilex crenata ' Hellers', Ilex
crenata 'Roundleaf' Ilex oac a 'Howard', Ilexomitoria, Ilex vomitoria nana
Pittosporum tobira, ?yracanth~ crenata-serrata, Teucrium chamaedrys, Juniperus
conferta, Juniperus horixontalis 'Waukegan', Thuia occidentalis 'Tom Thumb',
and Thua orientalis 'Berckmanns Golden'.
One teaspoonful of 8-0-8 per can per month was used as the standard
treatment. Plants died from overfertilization when one teaspoonful of
8-0-8 was applied each week. Overfertilization also resulted when approxi-
mately one teaspoonful of urea was applied once a month to the soil.
UJr aforwlde nitrogen was not as long lasting as 
desired in these
studies. Monthly applications at the rate of one teaspoonful per can was
better than applying two teaspoonful every other month. These treatments
did result in the largest plants of all the treatments.
All plants used absorbed nitrogen from foliar applications of urea.
Except when a concentration of two ounces per gallon of water was applied
each week, growth was less than the check plants.
The costs of application of the differential fertilizer treatments
were calculated and are presented in the following table:
TREATMC NT
Place of
Fert. Appli-
Material cation
Rate of
Appli-
cation
Frequency
COST FORl.L
No. of
Appli-
cations
SEASO MNAY 1 to OCT 1
Fert. jj~OOO 0 Coainers
Cost
per Ton
Fert . Labor, Total
ltsp/can
ltsp/can
1 tsp/can
2 tsp/can
1 tsp/can
1 oz/gal
I oz/gal
1 oz/gal
2 oz/gal
2 oz/gal
2 tbsp/gal
Monthly
Wre ekly
Monthly
Bi-Monthly
Monthly
Wleekly
Bi--Weekly
Monthly
Weekly
Bi-Weekly
Bi--Weekly
6
23
6
3
6
23
12
6
23
12
12
40
40
440
440
135
135
135
235
135
135
680
1.32
6.04
14.52
14.52
4.05
5.55
4.19
2.21
9.58
5.70
14.28
dolr dolllarin
24.00 25.32
92.00 98.04
214.00 38.52
12.00 26.52
24.00 28.05
15.41 20.96
8.04 12.23
4.02 6.23
15.41 24.99
8.04 13.74
8.04 22.32
*Bed on one dollar per hour
Notice that high material cost does not necessarily mean that the
total cost would be correspondingly higher because labor cost may be lower.
Net profit calculations based on the income due to growth and size of plants
were not made. This would be necessary before the final decision of the
alternative fertilization method to select can be made.
" V ' C.'Civ
:F$RTILITY STUDIES WITH ORNAM~ENTAL PLANTS
I. Influence of N--P--K levels on: growrth of Ilex crenata ' Roundleaf' (Orr and
"Furuta -- Auburn)
Various fertilizer analyse s were applied to plants in No. 10 food cans
at the rate of one teaspoonful once every two weeks. Preliminary analysis of
the results I o ts a reduction in the growth of plants when over 5% potash
was applied. The most dense, heaviest, best-shaped plants were in plots re-
ceiving 5-5-5, 5-10-5, and 10-10-5 formulations. Decrease in growth resulted
when any fertilizer formula higher than LQ--l0..5 was used.
Ureaform
Ureaform
Urea
Urea
Urea
Urea
Urea
Urea
20-10--15
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Foliar
Foliar
Foliar
Foliar
Foliar
Foliar
row+I I ~ LvvYv(i vul~V
No At
'.*C* W*
9-.
II. Influence of N-P-K levels on growth of Magnolia .andflora 
(Orr and
Furuta - Auburn)
Various fertilizer analyses were applied 
to plants at the rate of
one teaspoonful every two weeks to each two gallons 
of soil. Preliminary
analysis of results ndieates that increasing the nitrogen supply from 5%
to 10% resulted in increased growth.
When the amount of nitrogen supplied 
was 5%, greater increase in
growth resulted from increasing the potassium supply than from 
increasing
the phosphorus supply. Increasing both phosphorus 
and potassium did not
result in as much increase in growth as increasing either alone. Apparently
nitrogen was limiting.
At the higher rate of nitrogen, the same pattern was 
true except
when both phosphorus and potassium were increased. Here greatest 
growth
resulted.
The largest plants resulted from the 
use of a 10-10-10 fertilizer.
III. Phosphorus and lime rates (Orr 
- Auburn, in cooperation with Self at
Spring Hill and Adams, Rouse, and Wear at Auburn) (This project
is being conducted at both Auburn and 
Spring Hill. An integrated
report will be released when the work 
is completed)
Using a soil consisting of one part clay loam 
and one part ea
peat moss, studies were 
conducted on the influence 
of lime and phosphorus
incorporation before planting. Fertilizer 
treatments also varied but were
essentially dry applications 
to the soil. No. 8 Nursericans 
were used.
Plant species differed in their response 
to the fertilizer treatments.
The following gives the best plants 
and the treatment.
Treatment consisting of 
two table - of 
cottonseed meal and two
tablespoonsful of 0-14-14 mixed 
into the soil of each container 
before
planting, and a 13-26-13 applied 
bi-weekly at the rate of one 
teaspoonful
per container resulted in the 
heaviest plants for the follow 
ing: Camellia
japonica, Ilex crenata 'Roundleaf', 
anolia randiflora, and Azalea 
'Hexe'.
Treatment consisting of mixing 
9.3 lbs of dolomite and 2.5 lbs 
of 20%
superphosphate per cubic yard of 
soil mixture, and fertilizing bi-weekly 
with
an 8-0-8 at the rate of 1/2 
teaspoonful per container resulted 
in the heaviest
plants of Gardenia radicans and Pittosporum tobira.
The heaviest plants of 
nolia soulangeana and Camellia 
sasanqua were
in the following treatment: lix 6.2 lbs of 
dolomite and 2.5 lbs of 20%
superphosphate per cubic yard before planting 
and fertilize with 1/2 teaspoon-
ful of 8-8-8 bi-weekly with added minor elements.
Increased growth as rated by 
fresh weight resulted from 
increased calcium
rates applied to Magnolia gradiflora, 
Magnolia souaea, Pittosporum 
o
a, 10 -
Azalea 'Iexet.
High phosphorus rates were detrimental to the growth of Pittos orum
tobira.
** 1-* *:
IV. N-P-K on growth of 
Lyonia lucida (Furuta, 
Orr and Martin - Auburn)
Plants of Lyonia lucida growing in a medium of 
one part sand and one
part peat by volume and fertilized with an inorganic-5--10 were 
more out-
standing visually and according to fresh and dry weight 
determinations than
similar plants growing in the same; medium to which other 
fertilizer analyses
were applied.
LIGHT AND CHEMICAL CONTROL OF GROWTH
I. Light intensity studies (Furuta - Auburn)
Azalea plants, varieties Hino, Coral Bells, Hexe, and Red wing
budded better and forced into flower more 
evenly when grown in green saran
cloth houses with 22 to 46% reduction 
of sunlight during the summer than
in Lull sunlight or heavier shading. Cloth house plants 
were superior to
those gron in a lath house in this 
study.
Mlore flowers were produced when Hydrangea plants 
were grown in a cloth
house having about 22% light reduction.
**** *Si,
II. Daylength on growth of some plants (Furuta 
w Auburn)
Increasing the daylength with low intensity 
electric light
(Incand~cent bulbs;y minimum of 10 foot candles of light) resulted 
in
greater growth of flx c?enanta ' Convexleaf' 
and Ilex2renta 'Roundleaf'.
Interrupting the night with light of 
four hours duration was as
effective as continual sixteen hour 
daylengths .
This effect of daylength is more noticeable when 
the days are short
thn whern the ay ar natur} - praylng.
*~ '.* * *t*
a- 11.a"
III. Container size and lighting (Furuta - Auburn)
Ilex crenata 'ioundleaf' were grown outdoors. Plants were grown
in one and two gallon containers, both under normal daylength and increased
daylength (light from sundown to midnight) by the use of electric lights.
A minimum of 10 foot candles of light was used. Increasing the size of
the container resulted in larger plants at the end of one season. Increasing
the daylength resulted in larger plants and was additive to the size of the
container. These results are typical.
Da~len th Can size Pln egt Patsprea Fresh 
we,
inches grams
Normal 1 gallon 9.3 8.0 42.7
Normal 2 gallon 9.7 8.7 67.0
Increased
1  
1 gallon 11.7 10.3 71.7
Increased
1
2 a1lon 13.7 _ - -11.3 8 .
1Lkiht ed 
from sundown 
t ingtto midni t .