Tips for the Month
Ornamental Horticulture
- Early planting of trees means little or no nutrients are required for several months whilst the tree is dormant. Adding Osmocote Exact Protect as the controlled release fertilizer makes sense as no fertilizer is lost and the environment is safe. Osmocote Exact Protect comes from Scotts 4th generation of controlled release fertilizers. This fertilizer has all the precision of Osmocote Exact but has an additional wax coating which delays any fertilizer release for the first 2 months. This is a safe and cost effective method of feeding early planted nursery stock.
- Most nurseries clean down glasshouses and tunnels at this time of year to reduce the risk of pests and diseases. As an added precaution drench liners with Octave after laying out on the floor. This will reduce the risk of Theileviopsis (Black root rot) being brought into a clean house. As an added precaution grow as dry as possible. Most disease spores are transmitted by water splash so reducing excess water definitely reduces disease problems. If the disease is pythium or phytophthora then use Filex as a drench instead. Knowing which disease causes problems is half way to curing the problem.
- Now is the time to plan for the coming bedding season. Order Levington bedding compost. A low dose of 3-4 month Osmocote Exact added to the compost will reduce the need to feed and enable the crop to be grown drier. When the weather comes good in the spring, growth can be controlled with Scotts Universol water soluble feeding. Always start feeding with high potash using Scotts Universol violet.
- To harden up the sward and promote fungal disease resistance use Greenmaster Pro-Lite Pro-Iron.
- To promote colour winter hardiness in the sward where a granular product is not required, use Sierrasol Iron.
- Applications of a penetrant type wetting agent such as H2Pro Maximise is particularly beneficial during periods of wet weather, used in conjunction with cultural operations such as tining and vertidraining, in helping to shift excess moisture from the turf surface - application rate 40 litres per hectare.
- Apply a contact fungicide such as Daconil Weather Stik to combat any outbreaks of fungal disease such as Michrodochium Patch - application 30 litres per hectare.
- During mild weather conditions a close eye should be kept on any areas damaged by bird activity as insect grub activity is still possible.
- Earthworm control will probably be required during mild weather conditions using products containing Carbendazim as the active ingredient. Also consider the use of Acidic type fertilizer products during the forthcoming season to help acidify soil surface conditions which can help deter worm activity.
- Now that the fruit tree planting season is getting closer, why not give your trees the best chance to establish, by adding Agroblen resin coated controlled release fertilizer into the planting hole. This 15-9-9 12/14mth fertilizer is designed specifically to apply a steady stream of fertilizer over the next twelve months, to maximise growth potential and set your trees up for quality fruit production in the coming years. This is available from your local Speciality Agriculture Scotts distributor.