Author Archives: Admin

David Ehret, AAFC, Agassiz

Dr. David Ehret with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has evaluated a modified version of the CropAssist system developed for greenhouse tomatoes on other ornamental plants. Two greenhouse species and two nursery species, each of which differed in daily water requirements, were monitored for periods of up to 30 consecutive days. Results indicated that the CropAssist system effectively measured water uptake automatically and continuously. Automated monitoring of water use with load cells has been proven to be a simple and reliable technology for both greenhouse and nursery use and presents an opportunity for development into a commercially-available product.

Jun Song, Lihua Fan, AAFC Kentville

Product quality is critical to the success of an ornamental horticulture grower. Dr. Jun Song with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada took a hard look at pre-and post-harvest treatments such as 1-methylcyclopropene as a means to successfully extend the shelf life of cut flowers. Results clearly demonstrated that treatment of 1-methylcyclopropene significantly delayed the senescence of cut flowers, especially for carnation, rose and gerbera. Antimicrobial agents were also evaluated and showed the potential to reduce the microbial population in stalk solution.

Theo Blom, University of Guelph; Xiuming Hao, AAFC, Harrow

There is a commonly held belief that high nitrate ratios produce smaller plants and high ammonium ratios produce larger plants. Dr. Theo Blom with the University of Guelph has found this not to be the case with research into the effect of nutrient ratios on plant height. Results of this research have provided recommendations on the practicality of plant nutrient management in limiting bedding plant height.

Bernard Goyette, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

Recognizing the need to better understand post harvest treatments for bare root nursery stock, the industry looked to Dr. Bernard Goyette with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to conduct a literature review on the subject. From the literature that has been reviewed, Dr Goyette identified a significant lack of fundamental information about root storage and basic plant physiology. Subsequently he has designed a set of small-scale experiments to answer some of these basic questions and lay the groundwork for a future larger project.

Further reading: Impact on handling practices on the quality of bare root plants

Rumen Conev, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre; Todd Boland, Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden; Alan Sullivan, University of Guelph; Isabelle Lesschaeve, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

With this study, Dr. Rumen Conev at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre focused on twenty native species planted for evaluation at three locations in Ontario and Newfoundland. In each location plant performance was evaluated in sun and shade, in different growth media and with different watering regimes. This study has identified several new or underused native Canadian plants which have proven potential as low maintenance ornamental plants.

Further reading: Native plant research breathes new life

Rumen Conev, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre; S. Norman Goodyear, Nova Scotia Agriculture College; Tracey Mackenzie, Nova Scotia Agriculture College; Jeff Morton, Nova Scotia Agriculture College; Richard Côte, University of Guelph

Growing demand for green roofs in urban areas make this project evaluating new or underutilized plants for green roof plantings a timely one. Dr. Rumen Conev partnered with researchers in Nova Scotia to assess performance of 37 species under real-life green roof conditions. Species invasiveness and winter survivability has also been evaluated. Positive results across many test species is providing green roof designers with a larger palette of green roof materials, in particular, a number of low maintenance plant species that perform well under harsh conditions.

Yves Desjardins, Laval University; Gillaume Grégoire, Laval University, Marc Duchemin, Institut de Recherche et de Développement en Agroenvironnement

Dr. Yves Desjardins with Université Laval has compared the effect of four different maintenance programs on turfgrass quality, nutrient losses through runoff and leaching, and soil fertility level. Twelve plots evaluated five different maintenance regimes that included aerification, topdressing, weed control and fertilization. Results suggest that fertilized turf uses less water than unfertilized turf.