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Title: BEYOND SKOGHOLM COTONEASTER: PERFORMANCE OF HYDRANGEA, AZALEA, JUNIPER AND SPIREA IN A CLAY AMENDED SUBSTRATE

Author
item OWEN, JAMES - OREGON STATE UNIV
item WARREN, STUART - NCSU
item BILDERBACK, TED - NCSU
item Albano, Joseph

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/9/2006
Publication Date: 9/1/2006
Citation: Owen, J., Warren, S., Bilderback, T., Albano, J.P. 2006. BEYOND SKOGHOLM COTONEASTER: PERFORMANCE OF HYDRANGEA, AZALEA, JUNIPER AND SPIREA IN A CLAY AMENDED SUBSTRATE. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference. 51:55-58.

Interpretive Summary: Calcined clay mineral aggregates can be used to amend pine-bark based soilless substrates to reduce phosphorus (P) leaching, provide nutrients, and increase substrate water buffering capacity. However, the effect on plant growth is species specific. Hydrangea, a high water use plant, had increased growth in a clay amended substrate, whereas the ericaceous crop, azalea showed reduced growth. Substrate amendments did not affect the growth of spirea or juniper. Therefore, benefits of a given substrate amendment must be weighed with current crop selections, cultural practices, and management practices.

Technical Abstract: Georgiana industrial mineral aggregates (clay) can be used to amend pine-bark based soilless substrate in the southeastern US to reduce phosphorus (P) leaching, provide nutrients, and increase substrate water buffering capacity. However, the effect on plant growth is species specific. Hydrangea, a high water use plant, had increased growth in a clay amended substrate, whereas the ericaceous crop, azalea showed reduced growth. Substrate amendments did not affect the growth of spirea or juniper. Therefore, benefits of a given substrate amendment must be weighed with current crop selections, cultural practices, and management practices.