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Moving forward. Giving back. Our mission is to support agriculture with reliable, consistent credit. As a cooperative, our members benefit through patronage dividends and our support of rural communities. A century of helping Northwest producers has positioned us well to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. And we’ll continue moving forward and giving This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
back for another 100 years.
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800.743.2125 | northwestfcs.com
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(Left) Beauty is a Beach, WSNLA Wine Garden. (Below) Southwest Serenity, West Seattle Nursery. Flip to page 8-9 for a picture review of WSNLA member gardens at this year’s Northwest Flower & Garden Show. Photo credit: Michael Walmsley. Cover: Meritage Sedum Garden featured in WSNLA Wine Garden, provided byT&L Nursery. Available Spring 2016.
Contents
Subscription Price: $39 Annually Deadlines:
News, Classified ads Advertising
Target the Pest. Protect the Rest.
A picture review of WSNLA member display gardens, including the WSNLA Wine Garden.
Columns 4
From the President
5
Bugs & Blights
6
Executive Director
10 Tips for Selecting
17
CPH of the Month
Corliss Resources & Cascade Compost offer ‘whole package’ local option.
Departments
Compost & Suppliers.
12 WSU Puyallup
Extension Research
MARCH 2016 VOL 68. NO. 3
Published Monthly By: Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association 34400 Pacific Hwy S., Suite 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 800.672.7711 fax 253.661.6058
5 Bugs & Blights
the Stage for Spring
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
Editor Breanne Chavez
Features 8 Display Gardens Set
The Official Publication of
16
Industry News
18
Calendar of Events
18
Chapter News
18
WSNLA Marketplace
Struvite can act as sustainable source of phosphorus for container nursery crop production.
Interested in sharing your opinions and comments with B&B readers? If you take the time to share your thoughtful comments, WSNLA will be sure to share them with B&B readers. Please submit to breanne@wsnla.org or by fax at (253) 661-6058. Deadine: 1st of each month.
5pm the 1st of the month preceding the first-of-the-month publication. To place an advertisement, contact Breanne at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@ wsnla.org. WSNLA reserves the right to refuse any ads which are misleading, unethical, contrary to WSNLA policy, or which do not pertain to the nursery and landscape industry.
WSNLA
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
Growing the Success of our Members
www.wsnla.org
Executive Director Breanne Chavez e-mail breanne@wsnla.org Finance & Operations Director Holly Osborne, CPH e-mail holly@wsnla.org ecoPRO Administrator Jeanne McNeil e-mail jmcneil@wsnla.org B&B Magazine Content Coordinator Dawn Clarke email dawn@wsnla.org © 2016, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association
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[ From the WSNLA President ]
Spring reminds me of why I got into the nursery profession.
Ingrid Wachtler, CPH WSNLA President Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery Gig Harbor
As I write this, it is hard to believe the calendar has not reached the spring equinox yet. All other indicators, and the customers, are showing signs of spring. The Indian plums and other flowering trees are in bloom, daffodils are in bloom, other bulbs are popping up. As every other gardener, spring just makes me rejoice a little at the beauty and wonder of it all. I do not even mind the rains – they help the plants grow and let me put off activating the irrigation system for another week. Other signs of spring are the flower and garden shows throughout the region. WSNLA has its largest representation at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Several of our members had booths, along with our wine garden and CPH booth. Thousands of copies of this year’s GardenWashington Locator guide were handed out. And more to happen at subsequent shows. Many thanks to all the volunteers and our staff who helped make it happen! Spring reminds me of why I got into the nursery profession. For years, every spring, Bill and I would visit various wholesale grower nurseries in the Portland, Oregon, area where we lived. Oregon has a large nursery presence and nursery owners were very willing to give prospective nurserymen a tour of their business. And Bill and I dreamed. Instead of the corporate life, wouldn’t it be nice to grow plants? Give up the commute to the city and all the business trips to other cities. Work outside instead of being stuck in an office all day. And here we are! Living the dream. Of course it is not all a bed of roses, as you all know. Lots of work to do. But as we toil away, we need to remember those young people who are dreaming even today to do what we do all year. To be outside (yes – sometimes, even in the sun!) getting exercise the old fashioned way – with work and walking on the job. To bring or sustain the plants that bring a lot of joy into our lives and those of our customers. We are doing good today – happy spring everyone!
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Bugs & Blights
Target the Pest. Protect the Rest.
by Sharon Collman, WSU Snohomish County Extension
European crane fly – OLD INVASIVE.
In 2015, we had a resurgence of crane fly questions in our Snohomish County office. These were the first crane fly questions we’ve had in a long time. Most people noticed them after a heavy rain when crane flies fled to the surface to keep from drowning then wiggled their way to the drier pavement of sidewalks and driveways. Even so, not all lawns had crane flies and it is still important to monitor lawns. Todd Murray, when he was in Whatcom County, had conducted a Master Gardener survey for homeowners who thought they had crane flies. He found that 95% did not have crane fly at all or didn’t have enough per square foot to warrant damage. He also led the team of myself and Eric LaGasa and others in forming the Crane Fly Pests of the Pacific Northwest website http://whatcom.wsu.edu/cranefly/ and posted a pictorial guide to sampling for crane fly. Damage caused by crane flies includes yellowing of lawn, grazing grass blades till no lawn is left. Crane flies hide in the soil by day and feed at night or on dark, gray rainy days. Typical pencil-sized holes are diagnostic for crane fly. Earthworm holes have a pile of “soil” or worm castings next to the hole. European crane fly info can be found in the Turf section of the PNW Insect Management Handbook available in hardcopy and on-line at http://insect.pnwhandbooks.org/. Click on contents and select the horticultural, landscape and ornamental crops, then select turfgrass pests.
European chafe – NEW INVASIVE.
Oh, that it would be so simple to deal with European crane flies. Last year at the same time as crane flies were on the rise, the European chafer which had entered Canada and established in British Columbia was found in the Sea-Tac area. European chafer is similar to Japanese beetle, in that the larvae are serious lawn pests. Larvae are white C-shaped beetle grubs typical of the scarab family. They feed on grass ROOTs rather than blades. Infested lawns can be lifted up like a loose rug where larvae have severed the grass roots. Like Japanese beetle, the large scarab beetle adults have a big appetite for the leaves and flowers of a wide variety of trees and shrubs. More fascinating detail and comparison photos are provided in the new WSU Pest Watch: European Chafer bulletin. http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/ FS078E/FS078E.pdf European chafer made a rather large leap from B.C. to the KingPierce county area so it is likely that they will start popping up in other counties. It will be important to distinguish the insect causing turf damage as controls are very different. In both cases, these grubs are tasty morsels for insectivores like raccoons, skunks, starlings and possibly other birds. Watch for lawns being dug up by raccoons. Sample any suspicious areas by digging a six inch square to a depth of 3-4 inches. More details are also available in the Emerging Pests section of the PNW Insect Management Handbook. http://insect.pnwhandbooks.org/
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[ FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ] Identify your business as a WSNLA member to help promote member to member business, and to encourage other nursery & landscape businesses to join our cause. Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director Did you Get your 2016 WSNLA Member Certificate? It was mailed with last month’s B&B Magazine. Your WSNLA Membership Certificate represents your commitment to ensuring a vibrant future for today and tomorrow’s nursery and landscape businesses. It shows colleagues, competitors, and employees that you are committed to working together to protect and promote the Washington horticulture industry. When you receive your WSNLA Membership Certificate, display it proudly so that others may see it. This is an excellent way to help build awareness about your Association and educate others about how through membership they can join our cause and helps build a strong, thriving nursery and landscape sector. Here are a few ideas: - Hang your certificate front and center at your business or other visible location that will be seen regularly by your customers and clients. - Tote it along to industry home and garden shows so attendees know you are affiliated with a professional organization. - Let your social followers on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Houzz and Instagram know you are a part of a professional organization. Be sure to list your WSNLA membership on your website and social media networks. Perhaps you’re a CPH or ecoPRO? Link to the WSNLA website page so that your followers can learn more about your professional organization and certification. - Do you supply to the landscape or retail nursery sector? Consider adding a line at the bottom of your invoice that reads, “WSNLA Member: Working together to protect and promote our horticulture industry.” This will Identify your business as a WSNLA member to help promote member to member business, and to encourage other nursery & landscape businesses to join our cause.
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In Loving Memory
Ken Smith, Nursery Ken Smith (Right) Furney’s pictured with Graham Kerr, Inc. the Galloping Gourmet
WSNLA
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
2016 WSNLA Officers Ingrid Wachtler, CPH, President Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery 253-265-6271 | woodbrk@harbornet.com Duane Job, President Elect Job’s Nursery 509-547-4843 | duanejob@gmail.com Lucinda McMahan, CPH | Vice President Lucinda’s Landscapes 425-773-4237 | lucinda31@comcast.net Bill Raynolds, My Garden, Treasurer 206-406-3487 | mygardennursery@gmail.com Tim Gray, Past President Pacific Stone Company 425-258-1911 | timg@pacificstoneco.com
WSNLA Board of directors Peter Van Well, III, Van Well Nursery 509-886-8189 | pete2@vanwell.net North Central Chapter President
It comes with great sadness that the staff at Furney’s Nursery share with you the passing of the Ken Smith, Furney’s Nursery General Manager, on December 7, 2015 at the age of 68. Ken started his career with Furney’s Nursery at the age of 17 and was a member of the Furney’s family for over 50 years. As the General Manager, Ken established Furney’s as a premier wholesale nursery in Oregon and Washington, as well as an outstanding retail nursery in Washington.
Scott Pringle, CPH, Paradise Lake Nursery 206-930-4132 | paradiselakenursery@gmail.com Northwest Chapter President Megan Pulkkinen, CPH | Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design 360-698-1865 | megancph@hotmail.com Olympic Chapter President Kirsten Lints, CPH, Gardens ALIVE Design 425-318-2971 | kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com Seattle Chapter President
“As you all know, Ken’s immense contributions to the nursery industry cannot be understated, and his great influence will be felt long into the future”, said Rick Sulik of Furney’s Nursery. “Ken was a hardworking, dedicated, generous, and kind person. We all learned from his vast knowledge and experience, and his mark on the industry will be felt for years to come.”
Toni Cross, CPH, Toni Cross Seasonal Color Pots 206-781-1060 | toni@seasonalcolorpots.com Design Caucus Chair
Carolyn Guis, owner of Horticulture Services, added “Ken was one of those great people that made you proud to be part of the nursery industry family. If I had to use one word to describe Ken, it would be kind because he was.” She quickly followed up with the following story. “A few years back, we contacted Ken to get some plant material to spruce up a planting bed here at the Horticultural Services office and wondered what he would suggest. He said he would work up something and let us know. Late one afternoon, in a week or so, here arrives Ken, with his pick-up loaded with the most wonderful assortment of plants for us to use. If we decided we didn’t want some of them, he would be happy to pick them up and take them back to the nursery. (It happened that our office is located somewhat on his way between work and home.) Well, we happily used every one of the plants and now have a wonderful memory of Ken every time we look at our planting bed. His gentle manner and kind spirit will definitely be missed.”
Mary Ranahan, Cedar Grove Composting 206-963-0428 | mary.ranahan@cgcompost.com Horticultural Supplier Caucus Chair
Ken will be greatly missed by his family, Furney’s Nursery staff and friends throughout the nursery industry, but will never be forgotten.
Chris Smith | Lake Washington Institute of Technology 425-739-8424 | chris.smith@lwtech.edu Horticulture Educator Caucus Chair
Gregory Smaus, CPH, Native Root Designs 206-227-4458 | gregory@nativerootdesigns.com Landscape Caucus Chair Ben DeGoede, CPH, Windmill Gardens 253-863-5843 | info@windmillgardens.com Retail Caucus Chair Shannon Grina, CPH, Grina Landscape Design (425) 736-5170 | shannon99@comcast.net CPH Caucus Chair
Open Positions: -
Mt Rainier Chapter President Greenhouse Grower Caucus Chair Wholesale Grower Caucus Chair Out of State Caucus Chair Southwest Chapter President
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WSNLA Garden locator guide CPH booth
Beauty is a Beach
Our salute to the Olympic National Park, including its remote beach areas and other ecosystems spanning more than one million acres. Designed by: Lucinda McMahan, CPH Support Team Everett Chu, CPH, EPC | Azusa Farm & Gardens, Mount Vernon Megan Pulkkinen, CPH, EPC | Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design Kirsten Lints, CPH | Gardens ALIVE Design Stacy Smith, CPH | Sweet Loam Fine Gardening Lara Vyas, CPH | Natural Greenscapes Teresa Sciglibaglio | Willows Lodge, Woodinville Containers Provided by Ragen & Associates Cedar provided by Mukilteo Cedar Products Woodwork done by M&M Irrigation/Tacoma Urban Garden Mulch provided by Sawdust Supply Company Rock provided by Marenakos Rock Center
Beauty Is A Beach Plant List
BEAUTY IS A BEACH PLANT SUPPLIERS
Thank you to the following WSNLA members for their plant contribution in helping create this year’s Wine Garden. Azusa Farm & Gardens Bailey Nurseries Blooming Nursery Cascade Cuts Little Prince of Oregon 8 - The B&B Magazine
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NW Nurseries T&L Nursery Skagit Gardens Sky Nursery Skagit Gardens Vibrant Plants
Golden Spanish Fir Curly Red Leucothoe Hinerua Hebe Topiary Hebe Autumn Moor Grass Blue Oat Grass Sapphire Blue Oat Grass Boulder Blue Fescue Candytuft Alpine Strawberry Cape Blanco Sedum Moss Rose Sempervivum Green Wheels Sempervivum Iris Muscari Daffodil Scilla Sedum Bowls Viola Sedum Wine Bottles
Abies pinsapo ‘Aurea’ Leucothoe ‘Curly Red’ Hebe hinerua Hebe topiaria Seslaria autumnalis Helictotrichon sempervirens Helictot. semp. ‘Sapphire’ Festuca gl. ‘Boulder Blue’ Iberis ‘Snowflake’ Fragaria chiloensis Sedum ‘Cape Blanco’ Sempervivum ‘Moss Rose’ Sempervivum ‘Green Wheels’ Iris reticulata Harmony Muscari White Magic Narcissus Thalia Scilla tubergeniana Sedum (Tender) Viola ‘Penny Violet’ Meritage Succulent Garden
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other
Photos on page 8-9 are credited to Michael Walmsley.
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With over 20 years of experience working with soils and compost, Jami Burke and Katie Bach, are currently leading the sales and consulting for Corliss Resources’ wholesale and Cascade Compost’s retail markets. As we enter into Spring, they have put together helpful tips for retail nurseries, wholesale growers, and landscape professionals to guide in your selection of compost and soil products, as well as selecting a supplier.
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) Jami Burke, Ed Hume, and Katie Bach at cascade compost’s booth at the northwest flower & Garden Show.
ABOUT CORLISS RESOURCES
Corliss Resources, a family owned and operated company based in Pierce County, has three divisions supporting the landscape construction and nursery industries; Concrete, Aggregates and Soils. The Corliss soils division, with the LRI & Silver Springs Organics Compost partnership, is the most recently established division, and has grown rapidly supplying landscape soils, compost, and specialty mixes. This also includes a line of bagged products, known as the Cascade Compost brand, serving retail nurseries and their customers. With the long term contract for compost made in Pierce and Thurston Counties, Corliss compost is produced under controlled conditions inside specially designed buildings which allow for consistency. In addition, all compost is registered with the WSDA organic food program by both the manufacture, as well as under the Cascade Compost brand.
GARDEN CENTERS & NURSERIES
TIP #1: Designing a potting soil with the end user in mind. A potting soil should have a texture you can feel through the bag in the nursery. Ciscoe Morris once made a comment about pinching soil through the bag and rolling it through thumb and forefinger to feel whether it’s got enough going on before choosing the potting soil
at the nursery. This really stuck because I had “doctored” many bags of potting soil for my home garden. Texture is important; the mix needs to allow for drainage in a variety of container sizes and still hold together and provide water retention. The choice of good components needs to be taken into consideration while keeping cost in mind. There are plenty of amazing specialty mixes available in a bag, but many have price points that are not practical to the average homeowner looking to plant containers of annuals and perennials. Components of choice and not too much “filler” is my motto; there should be a good variety in the components that are visible yet well blended so you have to really look to decipher. Compost is an important component for a potting soil. Humified organic materials have higher buffer capacities and are desirable in a potting mix that will be used for a variety of uses. The higher the buffer capacity of a mix the lower the risk of undesirable PH changes. It is important to have enough additional fertilizer added to the potting soil to sustain growth throughout the season. We added an organic fertilizer and cascade minerals for the added calcium needed for flowers, foliage or vegetables. TIP #2: Please read the label! In Washington State the definition of compost reads “Compost shall be the result
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of the biological degradation and transformation of organic materials under controlled conditions designed to promote aerobic decomposition”. (WAC 173-350) Too many of the “compost” products in the marketplace are a mixture of ingredients that are not necessarily composted. Including forest humus, chicken manure, bat guano, and kelp meal to name a few. The label should say 100% compost and made from... TIP #3: Price is important but should not be the deciding factor. Consider providing your customers a local option. Local compost has added benefits because it contains regionally grown plant material (green waste), thus promoting compatibility with our local soils.
[
“We used the new Cascade Compost in our ‘Educational Garden’ last year, and we were so happy with the results that we are using Cascade Compost again this year.”
- Ed Hume
TIP #4: Provide an open bag or container of the soil so customers can get a good look and feel. Educate the buyer by providing deeper knowledge. Find out if any studies demonstrating growing comparisons have been done with the potting soil. Has anybody tried it? Do you have any endorsements? When you design a retail market potting soil you want to get it in front of people. Feedback is essential to the success.
Wholesale Grower
TIP #1: Mixes for the wholesale grower are usually tailored to the container size and specific crop. A good soil supplier will develop a working relationship with the grower to collaborate on the best possible mix. Work with a supplier that listens to your needs and understands the plants, soil and the end use markets. TIP #2: Compost promotes strong root growth which is important in growing healthy plants. We like to stress that a mix inclusive of locally produced compost is an important consideration. Container grown plants that are intended for landscape application have the challenge of transitioning from container to successful establishment into landscape soils. The compost component in a mix will help with establishment. Bacteria and fungi associated with green waste compost provide beneficial organisms associated with local growing conditions. Even in small amounts, compost will aid in the plant’s transition to establishing in the landscape.
LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS
TIP #1: Between architects being more involved in writing new specifications to how Western Washington Post- Constructions soils should function and those requirements that must be met, landscape contractors have experienced some significant changes over the last 10 years. The relationship between the soil supplier and landscape contractor has evolved in response to these changes. More than ever, it is important to have a soil supplier that can act as a consultant. Someone trusted to have the expertise and willingness to navigate specifications. They should be able to act as a liaison with the landscape architect and/or municipality, be involved in lab analytical testing, and be able to provide a good product that is competitively priced. Your supplier should have a vested interest in the success of every project whether small or large, make every effort to
understand the challenges faced and strive for strong positive relationships with specifiers, municipalities and project owners, on behalf of the landscape contractor. __________________________________________
Annually Corliss Resources donates 500 cubic yards of compost to community gardens and also participates in the Growing Healthy Habits through Pierce County and donates to 41 classrooms of low-income schools. Kids participate in the program which is funded through WSU Pierce County. You can find out more at www.cascadecompost.com. Corliss Resources works closely with the City of Tacoma and Pierce County to promote and educate on gardening, reducing waste and promotion of recycled products and sustainability. Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 11
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RITA
1. One-gallon containerized endrons and lilacs in the struvite ment growing under overhead er irrigation in the nursery at Puyallup (top). Graduate student Figure 1. One-gallon containerized n Fish applying liquid fertilizer the growing season (right). hododendrons and lilacs in the struvite
xperiment under overhead Morgangrowing C. Fish and DR. Rita L. Hummel Washington State University prinkler irrigation in the nursery at Department of Horticulture Puyallup Research and Extension Center WSU Puyallup (top). Graduate student Morgan Fish applying liquid fertilizer uring the growing season (right). Nursery and greenhouse production of high-value crop plants is a specialized segment of the horticulture industry. Both woody and herbaceous plants are grown in controlled environments and nearly 80% of the plants are container-grown. Container-crop production practices call for the frequent addition of water and fertilizers to soilless media. Phosphorus (P) is one of the major elements essential for plant growth and the soilless growth substrates typically used for container-production of nursery and greenhouse crops are deficient in P. It is a common practice to incorporate P, typically superphosphate, into the growing media prior to potting most container-grown plants. Current commercial sources of P are mined, nonrenewable, and quickly becoming depleted. Known P resources worldwide could become exhausted within the next 50 years. Wastewater, biosolids, and animal manures are rich in P, which can result in local excesses of P, leading
(TOP) One-gallon containerized rhododendrons and lilacs in the struvite experiment growing under overhead sprinkler irrigation in the nursery at WSU Puyallup. (RIGHT) Graduate student Morgan Fish applying liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
to inefficient use of resources and the potential for eutrophication of surface water. One method of P capture is through struvite production. Struvite, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (NH4MgPO4•6H2O), has potential to be a sustainably produced, recycled fertilizer source. Struvite is a precipitate that forms in the pipes of wastewater systems, causing expensive and damaging blockages. By installing special reactors that induce precipitate formation, companies have capitalized on P-rich wastewaters to produce struvite precipitates. Inducing precipitation in reactors serves a dual purpose of reducing P content in water systems and producing a P-rich
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Bark:Peat Bark:Peat TSP TSP Bark:Peat Bark:Peat StruviteStruvite
BarkBark Struvite Struvite
Bark BarkTSP TSP
FIGURE 2. ‘Mademoiselle Lemione’ lilacs grown in one-gallon containers were fertilized with equivalent rates of phosphorus (P) from either triple super phosphate (TSP) orin struvite incorporated throughout the substrate prior Figure 2. Figure ‘Mademoiselle 2. ‘Mademoiselle Lemione’ Lemione’ lilacs grown lilacs grown in one-gallon one-gallon containers containers were were fertilized fertilized with with to transplant. Plants were grown in either a 100% Douglas-fir bark substrate (Bark) or an 80% Douglas-fir bark: 20% equivalentequivalent rates of phosphorus rates of phosphorus (P) from (P)either from either triple triple supersuper phosphate phosphate (TSP) (TSP) or struvite or struvite incorporated incorporated sphagnum peat moss (mixed by volumne) substrate (Bark-Peat) substrate. A liquid nitorgen (N) and potassium (K) fertlizer throughout throughout the substrate the substrate prior toprior transplant. to transplant. PlantsPlants were were grown grown in either in either a 100% a 100% Douglas-fir Douglas-firbark bark was applied twice weekly during production at rates of 300mg . L-1 N and 200 mg . L-1 K. No liquid P was applied to these substrate substrate (Bark) (Bark) an 80% or an Douglas-fir 80% Douglas-fir bark:20% bark:20% sphagnum sphagnum peatpeat moss moss (mixed (mixed by by volume) volume)substrate substrate plants. or
(Bark:Peat) (Bark:Peat) substrate. substrate. A liquidAnitrogen liquid nitrogen (N) and (N)potassium andsubstrates. potassium (K) fertilizer (K) fertilizer waswas applied applied twice twiceweekly weekly Douglas-fir bark The research substrates. byproduct. -1 -1 -1 -1 was funded in part by a Washington N andN200 andmg·L 200 mg·L K. No K. liquid No liquid P was P was applied applied totothese these during production during production at rates at of rates 300 of mg·L 300 mg·L State Department of Agriculture Nursery Plants were grown out-of-doors on a plants. plants. A potential high-value use for struvite License Surcharge Grant used to support is to replace mined fertilizer P in the soilless substrates typically used to grow plants in containers. A production system that utilizes struvite from wastewater could enhance the nutrient use efficiency and sustainability of container crop production.
In an earlier B&B Magazine article Hummel and Cogger (2012) described research with greenhouse-grown bedding and vegetable transplants in a peat-lite substrate that demonstrated struvite used as a P fertilizer produced plants equivalent to plants fertilized with triple superphosphate. The researchers concluded capture and use of P from wastewater was a sustainable practice with potential benefits to the environment and to producers of container-grown plants. But they recognized a need for additional research to demonstrate struvite efficacy as a P fertilizer in other soilless media and for the production of woody nursery crops. The objective of this research was to compare mined triple superphosphate (TSP) with struvite extracted from dairy wastewater as a P fertilizer for producing woody nursery crops out-of-doors in
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Morgan Fish, a student at Washington State University, who earned her Master of Science Degree in Horticulture while working on this project (Fish, 2015).
Experimental Design.
Rooted liners of lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘Mademoiselle Lemoine’), a deciduous shrub, and rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Roseum Elegans’), an evergreen shrub, were obtained from a commercial nursery and transplanted to 1-gallon containers. The growth substrates were 100% Douglas-fir bark and a mixture of 80% Douglas-fir bark:20% peat moss (by volume). The applied amount of P from TSP was a commonly recommended rate of 1 lb/ yd3 and struvite was applied at an equivalent rate of P. Both P fertilizers were applied at the time of transplant by three different methods: 1) incorporate by thorough mixing with the growth substrate; 2) top dress on the surface of the growth substrate or 3) dibble by applying directly beneath the plant roots. A micronutrient fertilizer Scotts Micromax micronutrient mix, was incorporated in all treatments and dolomite was incorporated in the lilac
gravel nursery bed (Figure 1) with N-P K fertilizer applied as a liquid at two P rates, either 300N-100P-200K mg•L-1 or 300N-0P-200K mg•L-1. The fertilizer solutions were surface applied twice weekly during the growing season. All plants received the same amount of N and K but the P rate was either 0 or 100 mg•L-1. There were 6 replicate plants of each species and treatment. Plant response to treatments was evaluated by measuring end-of-season shoot height, the widest and narrowest canopy widths and calculating a shoot growth index as follows: SGI={[(widest width + narrowest width) ÷ 2] + height} ÷ 2. Root growth, plant visual quality and dry weigh were also recorded.
Results. Plant growth measurement results indicated struvite used as a P fertilizer for container nursery production of lilac and rhododendron in Douglasfir bark substrates was as effective as a traditionally used phosphorus fertilizer, TSP. Struvite produced similar growth responses in both the 100% bark and the 80% bark:20% peat moss substrate. Lilac grown in both the bark:peat and the bark substrate with struvite and Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 13
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Dibble Struvite
Dibble TSP
Incorporate Struvite
Incorporate TSP
FIGURE 3: ‘ROSEUM ELEGANS’ rhododendrons grown in onegallon containers were fertilized at transplant with equivalent rates of phosphorus (P) from either triple super phosphate (TSP) or struvite. Three different methods of applying the P fertilizers were used: dibble, incorporate or topdress. Plants were grow in an 80% Douglas fir bark: 20% sphagnum peat moss (by volume) substrate with a liquid nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizer applied twice weekly during production at rates of 300 mg: L -1 N and 100 mg L-1 K. No liquid P was applied to these plants.
Dibble Struvite Dibble TSP appliedTopdress to these plants during production. Struvite
Topdress TSP
The method of application typically produced no consistent significant growth differences for either the lilac or the rhododendron plants. One exception was rhododendron shoot growth in the dibbled/TSP/bark:peat/minus liquid P treatment. As shown in Figure 3 these rhododendron plants were smaller than the TSP or struvite plants in the other application method treatments. Paired statistical comparisons were made of plants given liquid P fertilizer during production with plants that received no liquid P during production. Results indicated that when struvite was applied at a rate of 1 lb/yd3 P the addition of liquid P typically produced no significant growth increases. The results of this study demonstrated struvite, a recycled and renewable, P source could be an effective replacement for the traditionally used, mined P fertilizer source, when growing Topdress Struvite Topdress TSP woody container crops in Douglas-fir bark based substrates. Capturing P from wastewater and using it as a fertilizer is a sustainable practice with potential benefits to the environment and to producers of container-grown plants. Acknowledgements The authors the Washington State Department of Agriculture – Nursery License Surcharge Fund grant program for providing financial support and Multiform Harvest, Inc. for providing the struvite used in this project. Literature Cited Fish, M. C. 2015. Developing struvite as a fertilizer for container grown nursery crops. Master’s Thesis. Washington State University. Pullman, WA. Hummel, R.L., and C. Cogger. 2012. Struvite can serve as a renewable phosphorus source for greenhouse crop production. The B&B Magazine. 64:16-17.
Incorporate Struvite Incorporate TSP DibbleFigure Struvite 3. ‘Roseum Elegans’ Dibble TSP rhododendrons
grown in one-gallon containers were fertilized at transplant with equivalent rates of phosphorus (P) from either triple super phosphate (TSP) or struvite. Three different methods of applying the P fertilizers were used: dibble, incorporate or topdress. Plants were grown in an 80% Douglasfir bark:20% sphagnum peat moss (by volume) substrate with a liquid nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizer applied twice weekly during production at rates of 300 mg·L-1 N and 200 mg·L-1 K. No liquid P was applied to these plants. Figure 3. ‘Roseum Elegans’ rhododendrons Figur Topdress Struvite Topdress TSP grown in one-gallon containers were fertilized at grow transplant with equivalent rates of phosphorus (P) trans from either triple super phosphate (TSP) or from struvite. Three different methods of applying the struv P fer P fertilizers were used: dibble, incorporate or topdress. Plants were grown in an 80% Douglas- topdr fir ba fir bark:20% sphagnum peat moss (by volume) subst substrate with a liquid nitrogen (N) and potas potassium (K) fertilizer applied twice weekly durin during production at rates of 300 mg·L-1 N and 200 m 200 mg·L-1 K. No liquid P was applied to these plant plants.
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Industry Announcements 2014 NW Region’s Horticulture Value of Sales at 1.38 Billion, increased 15 percent from 2009. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties report, which shows that U.S. horticulture operations sold a total of $13.8 billion in floriculture, nursery and specialty crops in 2014, up 18 percent since 2009. The number of horticulture operations in the United States increased 8 percent during this time to 23,221. “This report contains the results of the tenth Census of Horticultural Specialties,” said Chairman of the Agricultural Statistics Board Mark Harris. “First conducted in 1889, the horticulture census provides data on industries for which there are no other comprehensive data sources. It is a valuableTSP tool to highlight the contribution Incorporate Struvite Incorporate horticulture growers bring to state-level economies – whether in sales earned or expenses paid for hired labor.” Horticulture production was concentrated in 10 states which accounted for 65 percent of all U.S. horticulture sales in 2014. California ($2.88 billion), Florida ($1.80 billion) and Oregon ($932 million) led the nation in sales. All operations that reported producing and selling $10,000 or more of horticultural crops on the 2012 Census of Agriculture were included in this special study. Alaska showed a 35 percent increase on the total number of operations reporting horticultural specialty crops sold between 2009 and 2014, while total sales increased 65 percent to $16.8 million. Idaho showed a 6 percent increase on the total number of operations reporting horticultural specialty crops sold between 2009 and 2014, while total sales decreased 11 percent to $67.4 million.
FigureIdaho 3. ‘Roseum Elegans’ rhododendrons ranked third in the United States in vegetable seed sales. Oregon showed d at grownanin8 percent one-gallon containers were atreporting horticultural increase on the total numberfertilized of operations s (P) transplant specialty crops sold betweenrates 2009 of andphosphorus 2014, while total sales increased 12 percent to with equivalent (P) $932 million. from either triple super phosphate (TSP) or the struvite. Three different methods of applying the Oregon ranked first in the United States in cut Christmas tree sales and P fertilizers were used: dibble, incorporate or second in vegetable seed sales. It also ranked third in cut flower sales, nursery Plants were grown in an 80% Douglasglas- topdress. stock sales, flower seed sales, and cut cultivated green sales. fir bark:20% sphagnum peat moss (by volume) e) substrate with a liquid (N)increase and on the total number of operations Washington showednitrogen a 14 percent reporting horticultural specialty crops between 2009 and 2014, while potassium (K) fertilizer applied twice sold weekly sales increased 31 percent $366-1million. duringtotal production at rates of 300tomg·L N andWashington ranked second in nd the United States in cut flower sales, rhizomes, tuber sales. 200 mg·L-1 K. No liquid P was applied toand these se plants.To access the full Census of Horticulture Report: http://agcensus.usda.gov -Select the Publications Tab - Select Census of Horticulture Specialties.
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Todd Murray Selected as New WSU Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Unit.
Familiar to many of you for his publications and talks on invasive species and IPM, Todd assumed the position of Program Unit Director & Ag Program Leader for the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences at WSU. Todd is well-known for his research on cherry bark tortrix while earning his M.S. degree in Entomology at WSU. He then joined WSU Whatcom County Extension as Manager of Whatcom County Integrated Pest Management project where he assisted local pest managers in learning, researching and adopting IPM practices. He also authored regular articles on pest and beneficial insects and collaborated and designed the PNW Pest Crane Flies website. He later moved to WSU King County Extension to lead programs in agriculture, IPM and the Master Gardener Program. Among his accomplishments there was the discovery of two new wireworm pests as a result of engaging Master Gardener volunteers in surveying for these pests. Next he moved to Skamania County as Director Skamania County Extension. We wish Todd good luck and enlightened leadership in his new position.
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Q&A |
[ JAMES SPRAGUE, CPH FANCY PLANTS GARDENS, INC CPH Since 1997
Why did you become a CPH and how has this certification helped you? JS: I actually became a Washington Certified Nurseryman at the urging of my employer when I was in high school. She was excited to have me be the youngest person to take the exam. The certification has helped me in an evolving way over the last 21 years. When I worked in retail nurseries and first started my own business, I was still quite young and so it gave me credibility when answering questions about plants and their care. Now as a business owner, in my dealings with new clients, advertising, and interacting with the public it sets me apart from other landscapers. Anyone can get a truck and a few shovels, but being a CPH shows that I have an in depth knowledge of horticulture that others might not bring to the table. What advice would you give to someone studying for the CPH exam? JS: Well, it’s been a really long time since I took the exam I’m afraid! But my best advice to someone who wants to really learn about plants is to interact with them. The most I ever learned in terms of the conditions plants will take, care, and ID was the hours I spent holding a watering wand and reading the signs as I spent my summers keeping the nursery alive.
Be the Next Featured CPH.
Are you interested, or would you like to suggest a colleague, employee, or your employer to be our next featured Certified Professional Horticulturist? If so, please contact Elaine Sawyer, CPH and CPH Committee member at elaine. sawyer@lwtech.edu.
My advice is to close your plant ID book, put it in your backpack, and take it with you into an arboretum or botanical garden. Spend your time looking at the plants and getting to know them in every season. Tell us about your business or line of work? JS: I have a small landscape construction company called Fancy Plants Gardens, Inc. We mostly install paver patios, walkways, gardens, and landscape lighting. A lot of our projects involve entire yards, patio, lawn, gardens and fencing. We also have some regular maintenance clients where we maintain the beds and take care of seasonal cleanups, pruning, and deadheading. What do you love the best about your job? JS: I love seeing the project come together; I have always enjoyed creating things. In the nurseries I loved potting up plants, propagating, and watching the plants mature from season to season. Now I get to see entire properties go from boring to amazing!
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Now as a business owner, in my dealings with new clients, advertising, and interacting with the public it (CPH CERTIFICATION) sets me apart from other landscapers. Anyone can get a truck and a few shovels, but being a CPH shows that I have an in depth knowledge of horticulture that others might not bring to the table.
What’s your favorite plant right now and why? JS: That’s a tough question; I think I’ll go with the compact Nandinas, like ‘Gulf Stream.’ They’re so versatile and easy to fit into garden areas. The color that they provide throughout the year can’t be beat! How did you become so actively involved in the Northwest Flower and Garden Show? JS: Susan Browne brought me into the Garden Show during a meeting I was having with her about starting to work together. The first year I came in at the last minute just as the builder. Our second year together I took on a larger role starting with the concept and design, planning the logistics, creating the final product. After that, I felt I had gained enough experience to dive in and create my own display gardens start to finish. What is your favorite part of the Northwest Flower and Garden Show? JS: I LOVE the Garden Show, I’ve been attending since I was a teenager with my Mom. The fragrance walking in, the fresh greenery, and the plants bursting with blossoms gets my soul excited for Spring! As a garden creator, I always tell my wife there’s nothing better than sitting in front of my display garden for 5 days and having 50,000+ people tell me how much they love my work! How much business do you get from the show? JS: There have been years where a significant amount of my business has come directly from meeting people during the show, but even in the years where that is not true I know I have gotten my company name in front of A LOT of people. Name recognition is very important in any business, and this is an amazing way to spread the name. Where did you get your Horticultural Education? JS: Almost all of my horticultural knowledge has been gained through real world experience. I did independent studies in high school in order to learn some botany and enough horticulture to pass the CPH exam. I studied Urban Forestry for a year at the University of Washington, but had had enough of formal education.
CPH Committee Members Nicole Miller, CPH, Committee Chair nlovejoymiller@gmail.com CPH since 2013 Lucinda McMahan, CPH Lucinda’s Landscapes lucinda31@comcast.net CPH since 2001 Andrew Barker, CPH Cloud Garden Landscape Design candrewbarker@gmail.com CPH since 2011 Don Marshall, CPH Lake Washington Institute of Technology don.marshall@lwtech.edu CPH since 1983 Heather Harris, CPH callunagarden@gmail.com CPH since 2013 Dana Blaskovich, CPH T&L Nursery ronanddanablasko@gmail.com CPH since 2002 Marybeth Hilliard, CPH m_hilliard@yahoo.com CPH since 2006
How do you keep your knowledge and skills up to date? JS: It’s definitely been harder to make it to the seminars offered by WSNLA, CUH, and WALP now that I have 2 kids under 5, but I hope soon to be able to start attending the WSNLA/WALP conventions again. Not only are there lots of great speakers on a wide range of topics, but it’s also a great place to meet other people in the industry from all over the state working in all facets of our industry. For now, I’ll have to keep up on the latest plant varieties and techniques from reading B&B, and talking with my vendors!
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2016 WSNLA Chapter Activities Mt Rainier Chapter
For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Ingrid Wachtler, Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery at woodbrk@harbornet.com.
Northwest Chapter
For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Toni Cross, CPH at toni@seasonalcolorpots. com.
Olympic Chapter
For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Gayle Larson, CPH at dancingravendesign@ gmail.com
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Find more industry events at WSNLA.ORG! APRIL 4, 10am - 3pm. Hands-On Renovation Workshop (UW Botanic Gardens/PlantAmnesty) This popular, hands-on, all-day workshop features a 4:1 student-teacher ratio and real-world experience. Students will learn pruning and creative solutions for the overgrown garden through handson experience. Topics addressed will be pruning, transplanting, and landscape maintenance. The group will move through an overgrown landscape while instructors give on-the-spot evaluations of plants and demonstrations of pruning. Workshop participants will then cycle between jobs to experience the process. Professional Credits Pending. Instructors: Cass Turnbull and others. Location: TBD. Cost: General - $85; PlantAmnesty members - $75. Register Online or by phone: 206-685-8033. CPH Credit available.
Seattle Chapter
For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Bill Collins at wjcollins@comcast.net.
Host or Sponsor a Chapter Meeting Hosting a chapter meeting at your business is a great way to introduce your plant availability, products and services to potential clients and customers. By inviting nursery and landscape professionals to your business site, it provides an opportunity to share your expertise and build valuable relationships to grow your business.
WSNLA MARKETPLACE NEW JOB POSTING ONLINE NOW! Check out the wSNLA
ONLINE CAREER CENTER at WSNLA. ORG for current openings. www.wsnla.org.
FLAT FILLER FOR SALE -used MJF flat filler: great for filling flats up to 5.5” sq. gallons. Hardly used. Also used tissue culture equipment- Laminar flow hood, scale, test tubes, autoclave, etc. Call Rob @ 206-794-6035.
PLANTS & TREES AVAILABLE HOLLAND-AMERICA NURSERY. Now Available: Van den Akker weeping Alaska cedar 6’ thru 10’. Snowberry 1 gal. & 2 gal. Thuja plicata zebrina 5 gal. Red twig
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May 17, 2016, 8:45am to 4pm. Urban Forest Symposium: Sustaining the Urban Forest During Densification. Location: Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle. Explosive population growth is underway in the Puget Sound Region. Explore approaches to sustaining the urban forest in the face of this rapid densification and hear the environmental history of the Seattle area and its relation to social justice. Speakers will introduce the tenants of Smart Growth initiatives, widely adopted by policy makers, influencing land use decisions and the urban forest in Seattle and around the world. Case studies of successful approaches from Seattle and other cities will offer insights into ways to creatively address our local challenges. Free lunch to the first 100 registrants. Reception to follow. Cost: $85. Contact: urbhort@ uw.edu or 206-685-8033. CPH, ecoPRO Credit available.
dogwood 1gal. Mahonia aquifolium 1 gal & 2 gal. Mahonia repens 1 gal & 2 gal. Mahonia aquifolium 5 gal. Rosa nutkana 1 gal. Rosa Rugosa 1 gal. English laurel 2 gal. & 5 gal. b&b. List available. (360) 794-6549, or akker4@gmail.com. Specimen Street and landscape Trees in large Root Control Bags. Year around availability, easier shipping, handling and establishment. Mount Vernon. (800) 827-4067. Fax (360) 4281822. www.urbanforestnursery.com. WSNLA MEMBER. Let WSNLA help promote your job openings, plants and trees for sale, and other classified listings! To begin your classified listing, email your copy to breanne@wsnla.org.
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MUKILTEO CEDAR PRODUCTS Wholesale to the Trade 425-353-1382
M A D E I N T H E U S A
“CEDAR-TIQUE COLLECTION” Mukilteocedar@aol.com
www.BIRINGERNURSERY.com
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Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association 34400 Pacific Hwy S., Ste 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 Address Service Requested
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