Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/120635
chemical care says they are beginning to show more interest in them, especially as more states pass laws prohibiting disposal of yard wastes in landfills. This could be the extra incentive needed to give landscapers the chance to work with PGRs. "It's all about comfort. Many landscapers are reluctant to use anything that is new, even in instances where it can be helpful," says Yan Chen, researcher and associate professor of horticulture at Louisiana State University. "With the knowledge and hands-on experience, they will begin to use PGRs more. The best scenario is using them for shrubs and hedges — anything they need to prune regularly." Goodrich says they've already seen some steady growth in the purchase of PGRs for landscape ornamentals, including shrubs and hedges, but he predicts the biggest area of growth will be using PGRs for fruit and bloom suppression in residential, as well as commercial, areas. "Most of our growth is focused here," Goodrich says. "It's surprising to me, when I conduct seminars, to hear that so many people haven't heard of using PGRs for fruit suppression. Some have never even considered it, but when they learn that PGRs can be used for things like suppressing allergenic blooms, they want to know more. Our biggest increase has been in that niche, and with the more frequent warm winters promoting a longer season (for fruiting and blooming), we're going to see even bigger demand for PGRs that can be used for this." Taking care of business On the surface, PGRs may seem to be a conflict of interest for landscapers who often negotiate payment on a per-visit business model, have monthly or yearly contracts and want to maintain a certain amount of visibility so clients don't doubt they are getting premium service for their money. There is a place for PGRs even in these scenarios, according to Chen, who says she believes PGRs are substantially underutilized by landscape contractors in the residential market. "I've heard this concern in theory, but all of the landscapers I have talked to would rather prune less and have time to work on something else," 4 6 To ta l L a n d s cap eC are.c om TLC0413_ChemCare3.indd 46 HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM PGRS Do read the label to see which product is most appropriate for your intended application. "Dig into the label to make sure the product will control growth on your target ornamental," says Jim Goodrich, product sales specialist for PBI/Gordon Corp. Do make sure plants are in good health at the time of treatment. "Plants should be healthy and actively growing," says Goodrich. "If the plant is not healthy, you are not going to experience the full benefits of the PGR." Do limit PGR use to plants that are fully established. "Almost all PGRs need to be used on plants that have had at least one growing season, maybe even two," says Yan Chen, researcher and associate professor of horticulture at Louisiana State University. Do trim ornamentals before applying a PGR. "If you apply before pruning and then make a pruning mistake, you're going to be looking at that mistake for a long time," Goodrich says. Do pay attention to application timing. Plants should be actively growing, and you should get PGRs applied before the bud breaks. Do make sure you apply the PGR evenly, as skips will become obvious when the plant begins to grow. Do remember to check on plants. It may be tempting to treat and leave plants alone with the promise of less maintenance; however, follow up to make sure that plants are doing well and to evaluate whether another application may be warranted for better control. A P R I L 2 013 3/26/13 4:23 PM