Influence of Container Size and Medium Amendment on Post-transplant Growth of Prairie Perennial Seedlings

Abstract

<jats:p>The objective of this study was to determine whether container size or incorporation of water-holding hydrogels in the container medium would affect growth of prairie perennials transplanted on a steep slope. Seedlings of pale-purple coneflower (<jats:italic>Echinacea pallida</jats:italic> Nutt.), rough blazingstar (<jats:italic>Liatris aspera</jats:italic> Michx.), gray-headed coneflower [<jats:italic>Ratibida pinnata</jats:italic> (Venten.) Barnh.], and little bluestem grass [<jats:italic>Schizachyrium scoparium</jats:italic> (Michx.) Nash.], were grown in 3.7-cm (1.46-inch) diameter tubes that were either 13 cm (5.1 inches) or 18 cm (7.1 inches) long containing either standard greenhouse mix or the mix amended with hydrogels Terra-sorb AG or Liqua-Gel, or a nonhydrogel experimental compound, GLK-8924. The seedlings were transplanted to the slope in May 1994, and harvested in June 1995. After two growing seasons, plants of pale-purple cone-flower and gray-headed coneflower from the longer containers were larger (dry weight) than those from the shorter containers. The blazingstar and little bluestem were unafffected by container size. Terra-sorb AG and Liqua-Gel did not significantly affect height growth of the prairie perennials. GLK-8924-amended medium resulted in smaller or similar height plants.</jats:p>

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

“…Height did not differ among container sizes in July 2001 and did not infl uence basal area. Kemery and Dana (2001) found no effect of container depth [13-vs. 18-cm-long tubes] on the size of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and rough blazingstar (Liatris aspera) 2 years after transplant.…”