Production of Loropetalum and Viburnum with Capillary Mat and Sprinkler Irrigation

摘要

Some container plants grown in Central Florida using overhead sprinkler irrigation exhibit shoot growth suppression during the summer, according to reports from commercial producers. We hypothesize that growth suppression is caused by suboptimal substrate moisture or heat induced stress. To test this, recently planted Viburnum suspensum Lindl. (Sandankwa Viburnum) and Loropetalum chinense (R. Br.) Oliv. Plum Delight~R (Chinese Fringe Flower) in 2.5 l containers were grown during the summer of 2016 atthe Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, FL. using either capillary mats or overhead sprinkler irrigation. Shoot biomass was measured 19 weeks after initiation of irrigation. Viburnum and Loropetalum grown in two of the five capillary mat blocks had similar shoot and root biomass compared to those grown with sprinkler irrigation. In contrast, the average shoot and root biomass for plants grown with capillary mats was smaller than for plants grown with sprinkler irrigation across all blocks. Our data indicated that experimental conditions for the sprinkler-irrigated Viburnum or Loropetalum did not result in discernable growth suppression. Further investigations are needed to determine the cause of growth suppression when growing woody plants using sprinkler irrigation.