Evaluation of Substrate Stratification, Fertilizer Placement, and Mulching on Growth of Common Nursery Weed Species and Container-Grown Ornamental Species

The objective of this study was to determine how topdressing or incorporating fertilizer with stratified mulched substrates could affect the growth Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Snow Queen’, a popular ornamental plant, and liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa), two common nursery weed species. Five different substrate treatments were evaluated, which included three composed pine bark screened small (0.63–1.27 cm), medium (≤1.90 large (0.96–1.90 cm) particle size industry-standard that either rice hulls remained unmulched. All then fertilized via controlled-release (CRF). Bittercress control highest in containers, followed by those using bark, its increased overall topdressed vs. incorporated containers regardless mulch treatment. stratification resulted decrease coverage compared industry standard treatment, but generally fertilizer. In conclusion, both incorporation appear be compatible placement methods from crop production standpoint; however, may increase if is topdressed.