RESEARCH RE..,SULTS FOR NUR SERYUE 
N
Henry P. Orr, Harry J. Amling, 
Kenneth C. Sanderson,
J. C. Moore, Willis C. Martin, Jr,
Harrison M. Bryce and 
Newton J.,Hogg
Horticulture 
Series No. 8
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIUTENT 
STATION
OF
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
E. V. Smith, DirectorAuut96AbrnAlb 
a
August 1967
Auburn, Alabama
RESEARCH RESULTS FOR NURSERYIflN
1967
I . SURVIVAL, GROTH WOOD ORNAIVE NTALS ALONG ROADSIDES
The Horticulture Department, Auburn University Agriculture Experiment
Station in conjunction with the Alabama Highway Department and the Bureau
of Public Roads, United States Department of Commerce, initiated a study
in April 1963 to determine the method of establishing and adaptability
of woody plants on roadsides. Detailed results giving all plants and
procedures used are reported in the Alabama Highway Research HPR Report
No. 25, Final Report, 1966.
During December 1966, a final evaluation was made of plants on cuts.
Per cent survival, amount of growth, and cover rating were 
criteria used
to determine the adaptability of the plants.
Species particularly adapted to adverse conditions along the cut
were: J aerus sabina lusitanica 'Von Ehron', n r conferta,
_ wpm 
now, _ _
Lonicera jaonica halli ana, Robinia hiA da, Rs um oawichuralana
and Celastrus orbiculatus.
Species that were satisfactory but possibly would do better on more
favorable locations were: Gelsemaum sem rvirens, Jasminum floridum,
Juniperus chinensis sargenti, ju rusLocembens, and Ra .s
Gelsemium is slow to establish but develops into an excellent ground
cover.
Species that were poor on this location were: j~je muscari,
Eunn mu fortunei coloratus, Euons fortuneiyvegetus, Hemerocallis 
sp.
and Vinca major.
Vine and ground cover study
The following lists were compiled from a final evaluation of vines
and other covers on cuts:
Species particularly adapted for adverse conditions on the cut were
Celastrus orbiculatus, and Lonicera japonica halliana.
Species that were satisfactory but not outstanding were Ampelopsis
brevip2edunculata, Euns sf ortunei coloratus, Euonyma fortunei 
vegetus,
Gelsemium sempervirens, Hemeocallis sp., Liriop muscari and Lonicera
heckrotti.
2
Satisfactory - Cercis canadensis, CornusFlorida, Crataeuphaenorum,
Fraxius veltina moesto, Pnus strobus ard Ze241oa
Fair to poor - Capinis caroliniana.
Large shrubs, IC. feet or more, multi-trunked:
Outstanding - Ligustru indicum and Photinia villosa.
Good but not outstanding- Ilex casino, 
t f i
serrulata, PruIu caro ana, R abra, Thua orientalis 'Bermans'
Satisfactory - Qs chinensis, Lagerstroema indca, 
c i
Rhus tphina and Thu 'a orientalis 'Baker'.
Poor - Chionantus irinicus, Cotinus 
cogSri,Iexcorruta
'Burford' and Ilex cornuta.
Mv~edium Shrubs 6 to 9 feet:
Outstanding - laanha crenata 
serrata, Viburnum
dentatum and Vitex agnuscastus.
Good but not outstanding - Abelia 
grandiflora, Forst viridissina,
Lonicera maacki, Osmanthus americanus, 
Photinia gabra, Rhus aromatica,
Spiraea vanhouttei and Viburnum lentago.
Satisfactory - Berberis juliane, Berberis mentorensis, 
Beberis
sargentiana, Exochorda racemosa, Forsythia 
intermedia,F t a,
Hibiscus acus, Nandina domestica, S iraea u 
and Viburnum
lantana.
Poor - jdraea uercifolia, Podocarpus 
m rohl s maki and
Tamarix odessana.
S m al l srbs ndr5 feet:
Outstanding- Juniperus chinensis 
' Pfitzer K.
Good but not outstanding- Jasi 
num floridum, Roa ugni Rosa
multiflora and Rosa rugosa.
Poor - Gardenia radicans, Pr .s lnduosa 
'Double Whfite'.
II. a. CHEWIICAL {ED CONTROL IN 
FIELD GROWN WO0ODY ORNAMNTALS
3
Single applications of Daxtron at 0.5 and 0.75 
pounds and Dupont
7.32 at 2 and 4 pounds actual 
per acre were toxic to established
Arbovitae, Juniper, and Ligustrum 
at Auburn.
Amnmate X at rates of 30, 60, and 90 pounds per acre applied as a
post-emergent herbicide around Arbovitae, 
Juniper, and Ligustrum did
not induce injury other than on 
foliage accidently sprayed.
Deliberate spraying of the basal portion of the trunks 
with ammate
X did not induce injury among 
these species.
II. b. BEED CONTROL AROUND ESTABLISHED HIGHWAY 
PLANTINGS
In May of the current year, an experiment involving four herbicides
used for post-emergence weed control was begun along I-85 between 
Auburn
and Opelika.
Three species of evergreen shrubs were selected to study any adverse
effects from using the herbicides tested. They were Ilex vomitoria
(Yaupon Holly), Ilex cornuta (Burford Chinese Holly) and Berberis
julianae (Uintergreen Barberry).
A randomized block design was used with three replications of each
treatment per species. Plots were sprayed May 17-19, and all treatments
with the exception of the higher rate of Amazine and Dowpon, were 
repeated
June 1-5. All herbicides were used in combination with a wetting agent
except Anazine.
A weed cover rating was given each plot approximately 2 weeks after
each spraying. A final evaluation was made July 14.
In the following chart, the rates are given in terms of concentration
per 50 gallons of water. This was used because variation and density of
the weed cover in each plot made it impossible to cover each plot
uniformily and still cover all foliage thoroughly.
Evaluation of Weed Control",
Lb or gal. First Second Final
Herbicide Rate per 50 gal. spray- spray- evaluation
water in in July 14
Ammate ......... X 25 lb. 1.8 2.6 142
Amnimate ......... 2Z 50 lb. 4.5 
5.7 3.9
Dowpon ......... X 3 lb. .6 
2.7 3.7
Dowpon ....... 2X 6 lb. 8 
2.3 .1
Amazine........ X 5 gal. 2.1 
5.5 6.9
Amazine .... 2 10 gal. 1.9 
4.2 3.6
MSMA-Herban.... X .625 gal. 1.6 
2.7 .7
MSMA-Berban.... 2X 1.25 gal. 2.7 
6.9 3.5
* 10.0 = complete control of existing weeds and 
grasses
0 = no control
*' Sprayed only once.
4
Ammate 2X gave the best over-all weed control 
following the initial
spraying. Most broadleaf weeds, such as ragweed, goldenrod, and horse-
nettle were eliminated. Perennial grasses were burned back after each
spraying but new growth soon occurred. Occasional burning of the leaves
was noted where plant was contacted by the spray. Ammate X was less
effective but generally controlled most broadleaf weeds after a second
spraying.
Dowpon, at either rate, gave no control on broadleaf weeds. However,
two applications at the lower rate gave good control over perennial
grasses.
Amazine gave similar results from both rates after the initial spray-
ing. lWeedy and grasses appeared chlorotic, some weeds turning a variety
of colors. A second application at the lower rate killed most perennial
grasses and some of the smaller broadleaf weeds. Slight plant phytotoxicity
(at both rates) in the form of chlorotic-appearing leaves 
was evident in
Wintergreen Barberry at the last evaluation.
MSIA -Herban killed most broadleaf weeds after one spraying. Perennial
grasses were burned down but grew back even after a second spraying.
Occasional burning of the lower leaves occurred when 
contacted by the
spray. MSIA-Herban at the lower rate gave only partial control over
broadleaf weeds and grasses for a relatively short time.
The weed cover in the check plots increased an average of 38% 
during
the experiment.
III. a. PLANT PROPAGATION IDE EASY
The use of "Nurse Seed Grafting' and "Modified Nurse Seed Grafting"
developed at the Auburn Agricultural Experiment Station under 
a grand-in-
aid project has given 
excellent results with 
both dormant and active
scion. The active scions have been protected by intermittent mist until
new growth appeared. The terminal buds have been removed from all active
scions to eliminate the inhibitor that prevents the buds from growing
before a rest period.
The nurse seed graft is used to propagate camellia and is also
used to dwarf other plant material. It is made by removing the young
plant after the seed has germinated and inserting a trimmed scion into
the seed between the cotyledon petioles.
The modified nurse seed graft has been effective when used on
chestnuts, hickory, pecans, persimmons, walnuts, Queenland nuts, and
several species of oaks. This method involves removal of the epicotyl
from young plants and inserting a trimmed scion into the split hypocotyl
leaving the old seed attached. The old germinated seed attached has
given marked stimulation to the new grafted plant under all conditions
used.
These mthods are simple and can be made at a rapid rate - 100 grafts
have been made per hour by the project leader.
In cooperative work between the Horticulture Department and the
Forestry Department, good results have been obtained from modified
nurse seed graft using Chinese chestnut and oaks.
III. b. AZALUEA PROPAGATION
Z Commercial Root-nducin Substances and 2,4.5-T
Cuttings of the azalea cultivar, 'Red Wing',were treated by dipping
the base of the cuttings in either commercial root-inducing substances,
a 5 ppm solution made from the herbicide 2,4,5 trichiorophenoxyacetic
acid (2,4,5-T) and its derivatives, or a 40 ppm solution of 2,4,5-T and
its derivatives. The root-inducing substances and respective rooting
scores are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Influence of Several Commercial Root-Inducing
Substances and 2,4,5 Trichlorophenoxacetic Acid
on Rooting of Azalea Cultivar 'Red Wing'
Rooting Substance Active In redient Rooting
Check ............ ........ . """"" 2.8
Hormodin No. 1 . " .. . . "IBA 2.4
Hormodin No. 2 ........ IB........"26
Hormodin No. 3 ..""..:.r....... IBA 2.6
Rainbow Tender ................... 2, 4,5-T& NAA2.4
Rainbow Woody. ............... 2,4,5-T & NAA 2.6
Rootone ...................... ..NAA,NAAA&IBA 1.9
Rootone No. 10 ................. NAA, NAAA & IBA 0.6
234,5-T 5 pr1 ... " ................ 23,5-T24
2, 4, 5--T 0 pp3m " . ". ......... .. . . 2, 4,-T26
/ Manufacturers of the commercial root-inducing substances are :Merck :&
Com ,y~ Inc ., Rahway, N.J ., Hormodin No. 1, 2, 3;0 Rainbow~ Color and Chemical
Company, Northridge, Calif.., Rainbow Tender and Rainbow W-oody; Amnchem Company,
Ambler, Pa., Rootone and Rootone No. 10. The 2,4,5--T solutions were prepared
from the herbicide 2,4,5 tri chiorophenoxyacetic acid.
~/IBA = Indole butryic acid, 2,4.,5-T= 2,4--D trichlorphenoxyacetic acid,
NAA= Naphthylacetic acid, NAAA= Naphthylacetaraides.
~/Rooting scores are based on:
.0 = no rooting, 
1 = light rooting, 
2 = medium rooting, 
3= heavy rooting.
Use of.- commercial = r-inducing.?...substances .....did ' not infuence....1-the.
2. Cuttings Taken from Growth Retardant 
Treated Plants
Stock plants of the azalea cultivar 'Red Wing' were sprayed with a
0.25% spray of the growth retardant N-dimethyl succinamic acid (B-Nine,
trade mark of Uniroyal Company). Cuttings were removed from the plants
at intervals of 2, 5 and 7 days following spraying. A check, consisting
of cuttings taken from untreated plants was also provided. Cuttings
taken from retardant-treated stock plants rooted as well as the cuttings
from untreated stock plants. There was no difference in the sprayed
cuttings taken at various intervals following spraying.
3* Fungicide Dip for Propagation in Unsterilized Ledia
An unsterilized media consisting of equal parts of soil and peat
moss was used as a propagation media. Cuttings of the azalea cultivar
'Red Wing' was given the following basal treatments: (1) check (no
treatment), (2) Ferbam, (3) Hormodin No. 2, and (4) 1:1 Ferbam and
Hormodin No. 2. Heavy rooting was observed with all treatments.
Rooting scores (0 = none, 1 = light, 2 = medium and 3 = heavy) were
as follows: Check - 2.8, Ferbam - 2.9, Hormodin No. 2 - 2.8 and 1:1
Ferbam-Hormodin No. 2 - 2.9. Although Ferbam has been reported to
inhibit rooting of certain .woody plant species, this was not the case
with 'Red Wing' azalea.
4. Growth Regulatin 
Substances as Root-Inducing 
Substances
Root-inducing treatments were prepared from 10 growth-regulating
substances by diluting the material with a small amount of alcohol and
making up to volume with water. The materials are listed in Table 2
along with a check and two commercial root-inducing substances. 
The
concentration of the prepared solutions was 20 ppm for 
all the substances
except Gibberellic acid, which contained 1000 ppm. Treatment consisted
of dipping 1/2 inch of base of the cutting in the solution for 5 seconds.
The commercial materials were in talc form and the cuttings were dipped
then immediately removed from these materials. Cuttings of the cultivars
'Red Wing' and 'Coral Bells' were used.
The results are presented in Table 2. Most of the treatments yielded
a high percentage of rooting with the exception of 2,4,5-TP, 2,4,5-T, and
2,4-D. Hormodin No. 2, IAA, indole propionic acid and P-chlorophenoxy
acetic acid gave best rooting percentages for 'Coral Bells'. 'Red Wing'
has high rooting percentages with all the substances except 2,4,5-TP,
2,4,5-T and 2,4-D. Rooting score results were similar to percentage
rooting results with 2,4,5-TP, 2,4,5-T, and 2,4-D yielding low scores.
'Coral Bells' cuttings gave the best rooting scores when cuttings were
dipped in Hormodin No. 2, IAA and P-chlorophenoxy acetic acid. 'Red
Wing' cuttings rooted well with no treatment or all the materials except
2,4,5-TP, 2,4,5-T, and 2,4-D. Hormodin No.2 and IAA gave the best com-
bined rooting score for the two cultivars.
Table 2. Influence of Several Growth-Regulating Substances
on the Rooting of Azalea Cultivars
'Red Wing' and 'Coral Bells'
Treatments Per cent rooted Rooting score
Red Coral Red Coral
IWiing Dells Mean Wing Bells Mean
Check (no treatment).........................100 70 85 2.7 1.7 2.2
0 chlorophenoxy acetic acid ................... 100 75 88 2.6 1.8 2.2
P-chloropheno my acetic acid ................ 95 88 92 2.3 2.2 2.3
2,4,5 Trichlorophenoxypropionic acid(2,4,5-TP). 18 28 23 0.2 0.7 0.5
2,4,5 Trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5-T)... 28 48 38 0,3 1.0 0.7
2,4 Dichlorophenoxacetic acid (2,4-D) ......... 65 73 69 1.1 1.7 1.4
3 Indole propionic acid ................... 100 85 93 2.6 1.8 2.2
Indole butry ic acid (IBA) ................ 100 78 89 2.6 1.6 2.1
Indole 3 acetic acid (IAA) .................... 100 85 93 2.7 2.2 2.5
Gibberellic acid 10% 1oK salt ................... 100 83 92 2.5 1.7 2.1
Hormodin No. 1 .............. ... ............... 100 80 90 2.7 1.9 2.3
Hormodin No. 2............................... 100 93 98 2.5 2.5 2.5
/ All treatments consisted of 20 ppm concentration with the exception of
gibberellic acid which was a 1000 ppm concentration. Hormodin 
No. 1 and
No. 2 are the products of Merck & Co., Rahway, New Jersey. Active ingredient
is indole butryic 
acid.
/ Rooting scores are based on: 0 = no rooting, 1 = light rooting, 2=medium
rooting and 3 = heavy rooting.
III. c oLOBIOLLY PINE SEED &ERINATION .
Seed of Loblolly pine, Pinus taeda were treated as follows prior to
planting: (1) Soaked for 15 minutes in water, (2) soaked 
for 15 minutes
in a 0.1 % potassium nitrate solution (KNO
3
), (3) soaked for 15 minutes
in a 0.1% KNO\1
3 
solution and stored 1 week at 4O0Q F., (4) soaked for 15
minutes in a 3.0% NH
2
CSNH2 solution and stored for I week at 4Q0 F.,
aid (5) soaked in a 1.0% hydrogen perio ide (H202) solution for 48 hours.
Seeds soaked in .H202 for 48 hours yielded the highest germination per-
centage (61%). The lowest germination percentage (45%) resulted from
soaking the seeds in water for 15 minutes.
IV. GARDEN CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Garden Chrysanthemuims, 1966
Variety Height Spread
inches inches
Golden Fantasy ... ............. 14 15
*Oamneo ... . ............ . . . .. 11 13
Fujii Jess Williams ...... ,.... 17 15
*WvhitekMasquerade ............. 19 21
Corvair ...... *...... .......... 19 13
Loveliness................... 16 15
Real Gold ,..... .......... .. 14 14
Chas. Nye ..................... 15 12
;;Dol..ette ............ ..... 15 
15
Remembrance ... ,.............. 17 17
Martian ................. 13 15
*,Rosey Nook ................... 17 22
*]1i onaire .................. 22 22
*Purple Dusk .................. 16 19
Lawrence Blaney ............... 15 12
Geini...................... 19 22
*Ivlarbletop .......... 15 21
*Falcon ...................* 13 17
*OQutstanding varieties