Introduction to Introduction to HorticultureHorticulture

Plant: SedumPlant: Sedum

Term: Soil-less mixTerm: Soil-less mix

Sedum “Autumn Joy”Sedum “Autumn Joy”StonecropStonecrop

Flowering perennialFlowering perennial USDA Hardiness Zone 4a – 9aUSDA Hardiness Zone 4a – 9a Full sun to part shadeFull sun to part shade 18 – 30” tall & wide18 – 30” tall & wide Blooms: Pink, rust, red – late summer to Blooms: Pink, rust, red – late summer to

late falllate fall Winter interest, attracts birds & butterfliesWinter interest, attracts birds & butterflies Uses: Border, Foundation, Massing, Rock Uses: Border, Foundation, Massing, Rock

gardengarden Many types of sedumMany types of sedum

This is the largestThis is the largest

Soil-less MixSoil-less Mix

A medium for growing plants in A medium for growing plants in containers. It contains no actual soil containers. It contains no actual soil but includes various combinations of but includes various combinations of ingredients such as peat moss, ingredients such as peat moss, vermiculitevermiculite

Planting media mixPlanting media mix

AdvantagesAdvantages UniformityUniformity SterileSterile Lighter weightLighter weight Good moisture Good moisture

retention & retention & drainagedrainage

DisadvantagesDisadvantages Light weight Light weight

doesn’t anchor doesn’t anchor containerscontainers

Low mineral Low mineral contentcontent

Plants get lazy rootsPlants get lazy roots

Soilless MixesSoilless Mixes

Perlite or Vermiculite – silica based Perlite or Vermiculite – silica based rock. Heated to 1600rock. Heated to 1600°F. °F. Pops like Pops like popcorn. Improves porosity & retains popcorn. Improves porosity & retains waterwater

Sphagnum MossSphagnum Moss

Dried remains of acidic bog plantsDried remains of acidic bog plants Huge Canadian exportHuge Canadian export Sterile, lightweight & acidicSterile, lightweight & acidic Difficult to wet, but holds the Difficult to wet, but holds the

moisture wellmoisture well

Tree BarkTree Bark

Used for containersUsed for containers Like mulch but chopped much finerLike mulch but chopped much finer Used after roots are established (in a Used after roots are established (in a

soil-less mix like Pro-mix)soil-less mix like Pro-mix)

Soil-less MixesSoil-less Mixes

Used predominantly for propagationUsed predominantly for propagation Can be added to soils but monitor pHCan be added to soils but monitor pH Don’t use soil for propagation due to Don’t use soil for propagation due to

bacterial and fungal infections bacterial and fungal infections (Dampening Off)(Dampening Off)

Promix – Mycorise ProPromix – Mycorise Pro

Has microscopic fungi Has microscopic fungi (Glomus (Glomus intraradicesintraradices) that colonize plant roots ) that colonize plant roots and develop a symbiotic relationship and develop a symbiotic relationship with the plantswith the plants

They increase the uptake of water and They increase the uptake of water and nutrientsnutrients

Has fertilizer to last for 7 days. Then Has fertilizer to last for 7 days. Then need to begin regular fertilizer programneed to begin regular fertilizer program

MycorrhizaeMycorrhizae

Fungus colonizes, Fungus colonizes, but does not but does not damage,damage,plant roots plant roots

Yields better water Yields better water and nutrient uptake and nutrient uptake for the plantfor the plant

Provides a food Provides a food source (sugars and source (sugars and starches) for the starches) for the fungus. fungus.

Plant IDPlant ID

A.A. SedumSedum

B.B. PansyPansy

C.C. GeraniumGeranium

D.D. IrisIris

Plant IDPlant ID

A.A. HyacinthHyacinth

B.B. CoreopsisCoreopsis

C.C. Butterfly BushButterfly Bush

D.D. PetuniaPetunia

Perennial GeraniumPerennial Geranium

AA BB

Plant IDPlant ID

A.A. Dusty MillerDusty Miller

B.B. CoreopsisCoreopsis

C.C. IrisIris

D.D. LiriopeLiriope

ImpatiensImpatiens

AA BB

Plant IDPlant ID

A.A. PetuniaPetunia

B.B. PansyPansy

C.C. CrocusCrocus

D.D. ImpatiensImpatiens

Plant IDPlant ID

A.A. HyacinthHyacinth

B.B. PeriwinklePeriwinkle

C.C. CrocusCrocus

D.D. Knock-out RoseKnock-out Rose

PansyPansy

AA BB

Plant IDPlant ID

A.A. LiriopeLiriope

B.B. AjugaAjuga

C.C. WintercreeperWintercreeper

D.D. PansyPansy

CoreopsisCoreopsis

AA BB

TodayToday

Take advantage of sunshineTake advantage of sunshine Prepare the FFA garden for potatoesPrepare the FFA garden for potatoes pH testpH test Remove old plantsRemove old plants Turn soilTurn soil

Crop rotation***Crop rotation***