Container Size and Planting Zone Influence on Transplant Survival and Growth of Two Coastal Plants

Abstract

<jats:p>Survival and subsequent growth of two beach species produced in containers of differing volume and depth were evaluated following transplant on Eglin Air Force Base, Santa Rosa Island, Fla. Rooted cuttings of gulf bluestem (<jats:italic>Schizachyrium maritimum</jats:italic>) were produced in four container types: 1-gal (gallon), 0.75-gal treepot, 1-qt (quart), or 164-mL Ray leach tube (RLT) containers. Root and shoot biomass of gulf bluestem harvested after 12 weeks in container production were greatest for plants grown in treepot containers and root: shoot ratio decreased as container size increased. Regardless of container size, survival of beach-planted gulf bluestem was 100%. Basal area of plants from standard gallon and treepot containers was similar 11 months after transplant and basal area for plants from treepot containers remained greater than plants from quart or RLT containers. Effect of planting zone [92, 124, 170, and 200 m landward of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf)] on transplant survival was also evaluated for inkberry (<jats:italic>Ilex glabra</jats:italic>). Seedling liners of inkberry were produced in 3-gal treepot or gallon containers. Inkberry was taller when grown in 3-gal treepot containers than when grown in gallon containers. Regardless of container size, all inkberry planted 92 m from the Gulf died. Inkberry survival (&gt;75%) when grown in 3-gal treepot containers was two to six times greater than plants grown in gallon containers (15%, 50%, 40%; 124, 170, and 200 m from Gulf, respectively). After 15 months, inkberry grown in 3-gal treepot containers remained larger with 1.5 times the mean maximum height and twice the mean canopy area compared to those grown in gallon containers.</jats:p>

Survival and Growth of Planted Uniola paniculata and Dune Building Using Surrogate Wrack on Perdido Key Florida, U.S.A.

“…Plantings in our study were installed in spring during average rainfall behind redeveloping foredunes and, as a result, survival was expected to be greater than would occur for plantings in front of scarped dunes or where foredunes have been removed. Dune plantings closer to the Gulf of Mexico are subjected to harsher conditions including higher wind energy, increased exposure to salt spray, and higher levels of soil salinity than those planted behind foredunes (Ehrenfeld ; Thetford et al ).…”

Effects of Plant Growth Retardants and Pot Sizes on the Height of Potting Ornamental Plants: A Short Review

“…Bouzo and Favaro [17] also investigated similar findings on the effects of container size on the ornamental plant production and precocity in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and they were reported that using of a larger container sizes has encouraged the plants to grow taller due to absence of the physical restriction of the root by the containers. Generally, the bigger the pot size produces the longer ornamental potted plant and the smaller pot size produces the shorter plant height of ornamental potting plants [18].…”

Influence of Seasonal Changes and Shifting Substrate on Survival of Restoration Plantings ofSchizachyrium maritimum(Gulf Bluestem) on Santa Rosa Island, Florida

“…Schizachyrium maritimum has great potential for both vegetative propagation and production (Thetford and Miller, 2002) and outplanting success (Thetford et al, 2005). However, while initial results indicated a high rate of survival (90-100%) when S. maritimum was planted during summer months in protected interdunal locations and in front of beach condominiums (Thetford et al, 2005) subsequent plantings demonstrated a low rate of survival when S. maritimum was planted in February on the Gulf side of remnant dunes (Raymer, Thetford, and Miller, 2006).…”

“…However, while initial results indicated a high rate of survival (90-100%) when S. maritimum was planted during summer months in protected interdunal locations and in front of beach condominiums (Thetford et al, 2005) subsequent plantings demonstrated a low rate of survival when S. maritimum was planted in February on the Gulf side of remnant dunes (Raymer, Thetford, and Miller, 2006). These contradictory results raise additional questions regarding the effects of the season of planting and sand transport (burial and erosion) on survival and growth of S. maritimum, particularly as restoration practitioners try to reintroduce dune species during restoration projects.…”