Production of herbaceous perennials has been one of the most rapidly growing areas of floriculture for the last 8 to 10 years. However, greenhouse and nursery production of herbaceous perennials requires a significant effort to control the growth of some of these very vigorous plants. Until very recently the primary methods of control were scheduling and pruning. If a grower missed the target d...

Phlox paniculata L. and Rudbeckia hirta L. are popular North American native herbaceous perennials in the landscape. Perennials in general have a tendency to quickly outgrow their containers in the greenhouse. Chemical plant growth regulators (PGRs) are commonly used to control plant size in the horticulture industry. Unfortunately, both Phlox and Rudbeckia are extremely susceptible to powdery ...

Received for publication 20 July 1998. Accepted for publication 1 Aug. 1998. Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable. We gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Allen Cochran II, William Royston, Jr., and Scott Kilmer. This projec...

Integrated pest management (IPM) is widely promoted as the most sensible method of sustainable control of important agricultural pests. However, IPM is not widely practiced in commercial crops where this technology could be utilized. In crops where IPM is used, the sophistication of programmes with respect to the numbers of species, types of pests, and variety of control tactics simultaneously ...

Excessive stem elongation reduces plant survival in the field and hinders mechanical transplanting. Mechanical conditioning is an effective method for reducing stem elongation during transplant production. This investigation examined the conse­ quences of mechanical conditioning, using brushing and impedance, on subsequent field performance of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Mechanica...

This study evaluated the influence of insecticides on gas exchange, chlorophyll content, vegetative and floral development, and plant quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ‘Festival Salmon’). Insecticides from five chemical classes were applied weekly at 1× or 4× their respective recommended concentration. The insecticides used were abamectin (Avid), acephate (Orthene), bifenthrin (Talsta...