- Container Production Of Ornamental Horticulture Crops Florida researchers emphasize that A cv comene composters should communicate with Substrate, che composting indwstry QrOWers about feedstocks, process methods and end product content to maximize crop response. Kimberly A. Klock-Moore, George E. Fitzpatrick and Gladis Zinati tiens grow best in pH of 5.8 to 6.2 ‘will be grown product beeau: maa tion of rogulated heavy’ Physical and chemical properties _ the media will vary with the type of (Pable 0) crop (Table 2), Fer example, imps- 68 ocyen Noveasnen 2000Begonias (far lot) and potunias (near left} were grown in substrates «containing 0, 30, 60 or 100 percent compost made from biosolids and yard trimmings. Begonias illustrate @ pocitive plateau response while petunias ‘exemplify @ bell curve response. a post coupled with knowing the ma. turity of the compost product is erit- ical for growers of such sensitive crops, The goal in using, compost in the growing substrate is to use enough to get the desired growth ef feet at a cost-effective price. Because it is often difficult to de- termine which response group fits the situation, some research with different crops has been published that deseribes these various re- sponses, However, the responses ob- served in the research may not be reproducible under different condi = Differences In Compost Response Table 1. General guidelines for compost suitable for use as {Another important reason toknow a ¢omponent of container substrates (Rynk et al., 1992). which plants will be grown is that different plant species can vary tremendously in how they respond to inereasing concentrations of compost Parameter Guideline Partcle sae pA There is no magic percentage =\*=" of compost content that can — ies porsis be applied to container media for all crops. xty -20%060% 19% dy weigh in the media. Some plants show no response to inereasing percentages centage of compost increases and tions, Ideally, bioassay trials should of compost in the growing substrate then a decrease (bell curve). On rare be conducted by growers or their ad- while others show arise in growth up occasions, some plants will show a visors on selected compost products tow pot with no further increases decrease in growth asthe percentage prior to their tase in container pro- ua). Other crops show an in compost in the substrate inereas- duction, Before we conduct experi- crease in plant growth as the per- es. Thisis frequently the result of us- ments with a new compost product, centage of compost in the substrate mature compost products. we conduct a bioassay using radish increases ‘linear}. Finally, some Knowledge of any particular plant seeds (Raphanus sativus L.) because crops show a gain in growth as per- species’ tolerance to immature com- this species has a rapid germination ‘aharge oi tr fii erred TrOmmel Makers Pe eee eo eed Bucy Noveseuen 2000 59rate and casily measurable root s mass fer comparisons. We fila seed Table 2. General guidelines for the chemical and physical flat with the compost in questionand properties of container growing substrates for bedding fil another seed flat with astandaré plants, foliage plants, and woody ornamentals* ercial growing substrate of ‘known characteristics, We shen 0% pyrameter Bedding Plans’ Foliage Plans? Woody Ornamental! container and record the number of 5 mm Saeed 351065 Sawa? seedlings that germinate after cight Ete sts arsioz0adsm asytotasdim —osdte Lo0dsIn days. We then ealeulate poreent ger- janes aw ieoppr sot g0 Re ws mination (number of seeds that ger’ rowate te open Ns MA ninated = the number of seeds Potmsun 15010 28 pom Na MS own %100).Radish seedlings are al~ Tet poe space 7505 Na we lowed to grow for another 20 to 30 Air-filed porosity 510 10% 310 30% nA, days before harvesting of the radish Wate-holding capacity, NA Jows0% 350% for fresh weight comparisons of the ay et af. 1978; Forteno, 1996 ool etal, 1961: Ware andl Kruskopt 1983. substrate, : ‘Soluble all vate, phosphate, and potassium determined using saturated media extract This bioassay procedure also will eypmatea nt = " work with compost blends. For ex- _ ’Sohibie satt determined using 1:2 method and nitrate determined using SME. ample, if growers want to test the Sojbe sa determined using 12 method Hea metals Suitability of a blended media con- NA means that values were not genio these references tdlelne Uomport toe 60 percent tompost 8 percent Scrmickle 15 ferent penife by wolomel they can ut many believe in the increased — References Se lhSrhrr—ir 1 MeBtwce Deed aad heather fatwilk econ: Galempoccomoenestun men Dickey; B.D. BAF, McElwee, Ci Tetnedium: fhoy ould even tort tor-end’manage thee produce vo Somovet, and JN. doine, 1978 Severalblende (ey. 80.60," 100 produce seonststent provut that Contliate ering of wondy era fereent cosrpoatverou commcrtal fan ta‘used by eutuiver growers, meal narery ples in Foide Posi wih no compost sine ths By coramunicaing with rowers Ei AEE Ea Ste Ball ‘hore are many opinions about nut ean hep guide che norte PHzpAtric, C.E, 2000, Compost uti the utilization of eompost in the or- culture industry about how to use ization in ornamental and nursery hamental herticulture industry, compost most effectively HH oP production ayatems, in: Ps post uation hortcatore op Sa eens Fontene WC. 1906 Groning med: ‘Types and physical/chemical prop- eee a OS Be aD Wied Oo) Water media; and mutton ot Freenhouce ops. Ball Pub Base th Poole, BT, CA, Conover, and JN Sine. 1681 Sail and pling mix tere p 170.202 InN donor Follege pant prafucnon, Prentice FalEaplenel che Ryn, RM ME ver de Kamp, 66. Witton, NE Sines PE - Shr py HE Henk sea WF Bee oe handbook. Nes Reg. Aue Ee San Rhea NY Eris Tos, Greetheuse grovth mete TORNADO Star” 4020 ine Siostar Ag oe . Your Screening Solution for High Moisture . Kimberly Klock-Moore and George Compost «Topsoil « Ueconposed ark» Ground Wont ~ Pat ~ Mulch fat Horticulture Department ot rE Fort Lauderdale Research and MM | eciccasion Concer, Uniccrsite of BRIERE || Florida. Glodis Zinati is at the brik R el) Tropical Research and Education Center of the University of Florida in Homestead. 60 BroCycu Novenmr 2000