Herbaceous Perennials Production

This guide unravels the mysteries of seed germination, divisions, cuttings, and other forms of perennial propagation. Containing valuable information on more than 300 species of plants, it is a cultural cookbook of herbaceous perennials.

Applying up-to-date technical and cultural information to the everyday production of perennial crops, this guide is specifically devoted to producing perennials under greenhouse and nursery conditions. The back-to-basics approach gives growers an understanding of the principles behind production practices, enhancing their ability to consistently provide high-quality perennials to the marketplace. A guide to propagation and growing plants to maturity with chapters on media, water quality, fertilisation, insect and disease management, weed control, plant-growth regulators, forced blooming, herb production, and marketing, and production schedules for over 100 of today's most popular perennial species provide growers with everything they need to succeed.

The third edition of the comprehensive—and entertaining—gardening reference by the master horticulturalist. This is the long-awaited third edition of Allan Armitage’s masterpiece on garden perennials. Armitage’s extensive traveling, teaching, and trialing experiences provide a depth of understanding of the best ornamental perennials for North American gardens unparalleled by any other garden writer. One of the most definitive and conclusive books written about perennials, the first edition was designated as one of the best seventy-five books written in the last seventy-five years by the American Horticulture Society. Now the third edition of “The Big Perennial Book” (as it is fondly referred to by many practitioners) describes 3,600 species in 1224 pages. More than three hundred color photos complement detailed text filled with the author’s pointed observations of plant performance, cultivar selection, and current taxonomy. In addition, his trademark wit and passion are both in abundance, making reading as pleasurable as it is informative.

This publication presents the latest research in perennial crop breeding and programmes, and provides direction on where the field of perennial crop is heading. Many production systems and agricultural practices are no longer sustainable today as their effects on soils, water, biodiversity, and livelihood are significant. Mainstreaming the use of perennial crops into current practices can contribute to stabilize fragile soils and maintain natural processes essential to obtain stable and high yields. To face the challenges and risks of the twenty-first century, increasing the perenniality of crops and agricultural systems should become a larger research, development and policy focus.

Field multiplication; Performance objectives; Introduction to seed production; Seed production systems; Site selection; Matching the forage to the site; The forage plant; Crop establishment; Crop management; Seed harvesting; Feedback exercises; Post-harvest seed conditioning; Performance objectives; Introduction to post-harvest seed conditioning; threshing and winnowing; Seed drying; Seed cleaning; Seed packaging; Seed storage; Seed quality control concepts; Performance objectives; Introduction to evaluation of seed quality; Components of seed quality; Seed quality assurance; Methods for seed quality testing; Introduction to seed certification; Introduction to seed legislation; Seed marketing; Performance Objectives; Introduction to seed marketing; Marketing efficiency and problems; Product option, targeting species and quantities; Economics of forage seed production; Performance objectives; Introduction to seed production economics; Inputs for seed production; Risks and uncertainty in defining seed demand.

Diseases of Herbaceous Perennials is a beautifully illustrated, practical, scientifically reviewed reference book that will help you identify and solve plant disease problems specific to these valuable ornamental plants. As the popularity of herbaceous perennials in the landscape continues to rise, there is a demand for more information on how to produce and grow these striking plants successfully.The common diseases of more than 150 popular perennials are included in this new book, arranged alphabetically by plant and accompanied by hundreds of fine color photographs to assist in accurate disease diagnosis. Short descriptions of the cultural conditions that will help these plants remain healthy and thrive are given for each host plant. Tips are provided to assist growers and gardeners in managing challenging diseases. This guide includes extensive color illustrations of diseases commonly found on herbaceous perennials in landscapes and nursery production. Accurate color images assist the reader in correctly distinguishing between disease and insect problems and leads to correct disease diagnosis when faced with a bewildering array of symptoms.