Browsing by Author "Scoggins, Holly L."

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    America's Anniversary Garden. A Statewide Corridor and Entrance Enhancement Program
    DuBois, Leanne; Maurer, Elizabeth; Latimer, Joyce G.; Appleton, Bonnie L.; Close, David; Scoggins, Holly L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)
    Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) has developed the America's Anniversary Garden to help individuals, communities, and groups mark America's 400th Anniversary with a signature garden planting. The signature gardens will have red, white, and blue color schemes and will be promoted and marketed throughout the state and beyond.
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    America's Anniversary Garden. Red, White, and Blue in Fall and Winter Gardens
    Appleton, Bonnie L.; Scoggins, Holly L.; Latimer, Joyce G.; Maurer, Elizabeth; Close, David; DuBois, Leanne (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)
    Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) has developed the America's Anniversary Garden to help individuals, communities, and groups mark America's 400th Anniversary with a signature garden planting. The signature gardens will have red, white, and blue color schemes and will be promoted and marketed throughout the state and beyond.
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    America's Anniversary Garden: A Statewide Corridor and Entrance Enhancement Program
    Maurer, Elizabeth; Appleton, Bonnie L.; Latimer, Joyce G.; DuBois, Leanne; Close, David (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-07-01)
    Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) developed the America’s Anniversary Garden to help individuals, communities, and groups mark America’s 400th Anniversary in 2007 with a signature garden planting. The signature gardens have red, white, and blue color schemes and, upon their release, were promoted and marketed throughout the state and beyond. Although the commemoration has passed, this guide continues to be a useful guide for creating a patriotic garden
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    Argumentative Writing “Egg Proj-chick”: A Chick Hatching Unit of Study for Teaching 7th grade Argumentative Writing Skills
    Merrill, Suzanne (Virginia Tech, 2013-12)
    This project introduces lessons using animal-assisted education techniques as an approach to reengaging students in the classroom. An informal observation of children who were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) yielded preliminary evidence that the disengaged students began to gain self-control and be more cooperative with others. A more comprehensive examination of this phenomenon seemed to be a worthwhile endeavor, which was the impetus for this project. The animal-centered unit of study designed by the author is the first-known, formal attempt to utilize the beneficial, therapeutic effects of animals in a non-science, academic unit to maximize learning potential. This project is a compilation of lesson plans that can be used in a unit for 7th graders on argumentative writing using chick hatching as the topic. The persuasive writing unit uses a chick-hatching project as the axis around which its lessons revolve. The aim of the unit is to provide a framework around which data pertaining to children’s learning can be collected and analyzed. The Ewing Township District Language Arts Supervisor evaluated the lesson plans and determined that they met Standard W.6.1 in the 2010 Common Core Standards for English Language Arts. It is recommended that research be conducted to determine whether or not there are correlations between the use of animals for academic purposes and the cognitive development of youth.
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    Care Sheet for Sabal minor or "Dwarf Palmetto" in Virginia Landscapes
    Saia, John; Seamone, Joseph W.; Zilberfarb, Susanne E.; Scoggins, Holly L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019-05-29)
    Describes the Dwarf Palmetto and its potential as a landscaping plant throughout Virginia.
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    Care Sheet for Sabal minor or "Dwarf Palmetto" in Virginia Landscapes
    Scoggins, Holly L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2013-09-05)
    Part of the Dwarf Palmetto's native range includes the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia. Given the proper conditions and period of establishment, S. minor should be hardy throughout all Virginia zones.
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    Challenges in the Greenhouse Production of Rosmarinus officinalis L.
    Westervelt, Paul Matthew (Virginia Tech, 2003-07-28)
    Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) is popular as a culinary herb, landscape plant, and potted florist's crop. Little research has been reported on the greenhouse production of this plant. Effects of irrigation rate, fertilizer concentration, and growing media on root and shoot growth were investigated for R. officinalis 'Athens Blue Spires'. In the first experiment, rooted cuttings were potted and received fertilizer treatments of 100, 200, or 300 mg?L-1 nitrogen (N) from 15N-2.2P-12.2K water-soluble fertilizer for twelve weeks. Two irrigation regimes were imposed - plants were irrigated with fertilizer solution when the growing media dried down to less than 30% or 20% volumetric soil moisture content. Root and shoot dry weights showed irrigation rate did not effect roots, but the higher irrigation rate produced larger shoots at all fertilizer concentrations. The largest roots and shoots were a product of the lowest fertilizer concentration. In the second experiment, rooted cuttings of the same cultivar were potted and received fertilizer treatments of 50, 100, 150, or 200 mg?L-1 N from 15N-2.2P-12.2K water-soluble fertilizer for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks. Plants were harvested at the end of each treatment. A third irrigation regime was imposed - plants were irrigated with fertilizer solution when the growing media dried down to less than 40%, 30%, or 20% volumetric soil moisture content. Root and shoot dry weights showed neither irrigation nor fertilizer were significant at week two, six, or eight. Dry weights showed irrigation was significant for roots at week four with the lowest irrigation rate producing the largest roots at all fertilizer concentrations except 100 mg?L-1 at the less than 30% irrigation rate. Irrigation was also significant at week four for shoots with the lowest irrigation rate producing the largest shoots at all fertilizer concentrations except 100 mg?L-1 at the less than 30% irrigation rate. In the third experiment 'Athens Blue Spires' rooted cuttings were potted in five different soilless media [Fafard 52 (24% peat, 60% bark, 8% perlite, 8% vermiculite); Fafard 3B (45% peat, 25% bark, 15% perlite, 15% vermiculite); Scott's Sierra Perennial Mix (25% peat, 65% bark, 10% perlite); Scott's Metro Mix 700 with Coir (25% coir, 50% bark, 10% perlite, 15% vermiculite); and a nursery mix (89% pine bark, 11% sand)]. Plants were irrigated for fourteen weeks with 150 mg?L-1N fertilizer solution when the growing media dried down to less than 30% or <20% volumetric soil moisture content. Growing media affected shoot dry weight with the highest-percentage peat media (Fafard 3B) producing the largest plants. All were of marketable quality. Irrigation rate did not affect root dry weight, but the higher rate produced larger shoots in each of the five media. The fourth experiment examined the growth of R. officinalis 'Tuscan Blue' rooted cuttings when planted in five different growing media [Fafard 52, Fafard 3B, Scott's Perennial, Metro Mix 560 with coir (30% coir, 15% peat, 40% bark, and 15% perlite), and 100% pine bark]. A third irrigation regime was imposed - plants were irrigated with 150 mg?L-1N fertilizer solution when the growing media dried down to less than 40%, 30%, or 20% volumetric soil moisture content. Treatments lasted for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks and plants were harvested at the end of each treatment. Dry weights showed neither media nor irrigation was significant for roots or shoots at weeks four or eight. However, at week two, media significantly affected root dry weight with the heaviest roots produced by the two perennial mixes (Scott's perennial and Fafard 52). Growing media affected shoot dry weight at week six with the highest-percentage peat media (Fafard 3B) producing the largest plants at the low and high irrigation rate. Irrigation also affected root dry weight at week six with the two lowest irrigation rates producing the heaviest roots in all media.
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    Colored Shade Cloth Affects the Growth of Basil, Cilantro, and Parsley
    Appling, Shawn (Virginia Tech, 2012-04-23)
    A preliminary experiment evaluated the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) or mechanical stimulation (brushing) on branching of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), cilantro (Coriandrum sativium L.), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman ex A.W. Hill). Dikegulac sodium increased branching in sweet basil up to 400 ppm and thereafter branching decreased compared to control plants. Ethephon increased branching in sweet basil as rate increased up to 500 mg/L compared to control plants. Mechanical stimulation resulted in a significant decrease in plant height, plant width, number of branches, and number of leaders for all species compared to control plants. Benzyladenine and metaconazole had no effect on these species. In the main experiment the effect of colored shade cloth and PGRs or brushing were assessed on sweet basil, Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum "Siam Queen" L.), Genovese basil (Ocimum basilicum "Genovese" L.), cilantro, and parsley. All crops were grown under conventional black, blue ChromatiNet®, or red ChromatiNet® shade cloth. Subplot treatments included: dikegulac sodium at 400 ppm; benzyladenine at 300 ppm; ethephon at 350 ppm; brushing at 10 strokes applied twice daily. We assessed volatile compunds on all crops and conducted a sensory panel on sweet basil. Red shade cloth increased the number of branches and shoot fresh weight in sweet basil, Thai basil, and Genovese basil. Number of leaf stalks and shoot fresh weight also increased in cilantro plants grown under red shade cloth. Red shade cloth increased fresh weight of parsley plants. Sensory panel results showed a preference for the appearance of sweet basil grown under red shade cloth. Red shade cloth can be used to grow sweet basil, Thai basil, Genovese basil, cilantro, and parsley plants that have more branches and higher fresh weights.
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    Controlling Growth in Echinacea Hybrids
    Grossman, Mara Celeste (Virginia Tech, 2017-05-02)
    New hybrid Echinacea cultivars, based on crosses of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench with several other Echinacea species, have generated interest and excitement in the marketplace due to novel flower colors and forms. However, these cultivars vary significantly in their growth habits and requirements from the species. We examined factors in the production of Echinacea hybrid cultivars to provide guidance to growers. Foliar sprays 600 mg·L⁻¹ benzyladenine (BA) increased numbers of branches between 19% and 83% in Echinacea cultivars while 400 mg·L⁻¹ dikegulac sodium or 500 mg·L⁻¹ ethephon did not improve branching. Of several height control PGRs applied to E. ‘Marmalade,’ only plants treated with two applications of 5000 mg·L⁻¹ daminozide were shorter (24%) compared to untreated controls although flowering was also reduced by 70%. Echinacea ‘Harvest Moon’ plants were shorter in response to all of the PGRs applied, with the best results seen in plants treated with foliar sprays of uniconazole (one application of 30 mg·L⁻¹ or two applications of 15 mg·L⁻¹ ), two applications of 5000 mg·L⁻¹ daminozide, or 4 mg·L⁻¹ paclobutrazol applied once as a drench. Supplying N at 150 mg·L -1 during the growing season provided Echinacea cultivars adequate nutrition and maximized numbers of branches and flowers and shoot dry weight. In overwintering, fertilization treatments that resulted in low substrate electrical conductivity going into dormancy, 5.0 kg·m controlled release fertilizer 15N-3.9P-10K or 150 mg·L⁻¹ N using 15N-2.2P-12.5K applied using constant liquid feed, resulted in the highest survival rates of Echinacea cultivars. As a monitoring tool, SPAD measurements were not successful in predicting tissue N levels in Echinacea hybrids. Twenty-one hybrid cultivars acquired as stage 3 tissue culture plantlets were grown under one of three photoperiods (10-hour, 16-hour, or 24-hour) for 10 weeks before being transplanted to larger containers and grown under natural daylength until flowering. Providing Echinacea hybrid cultivars with a 16-hour photoperiod during liner production resulted in plants which flowered soonest without negative effects on growth. The need for height control PGRs varied by cultivar; however, overall height control PGRs controlled flower stalk height and increased market rating.
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    Effects of Seed Density and Other Factors on the Yield of Microgreens Grown Hydroponically on Burlap
    Nolan, Donielle A. (Virginia Tech, 2019-01-02)
    Microgreens are gaining popularity as a new, nutritious salad crop. Growing microgreens in stacked hydroponic channels may improve efficiency and food safety for microgreens. However, differences between soil and hydroponic production methods for microgreens are not well known, especially when it comes to specific factors, like seed density, light exposure and yield for all the crops used as microgreens. This study explored the yield of six types of microgreens grown on burlap during three years of commercial production in a small educational greenhouse. The varieties, or species, tested in this study included basil, arugula, carrot, and blends of brassicas, radish and mustard. Seeds were sown directly on a single layer of burlap in a hydroponic nutrient film technique (NFT) system. Fresh weights (FW) of the microgreens were recorded after harvest to track the influence of seed density, light levels, growth time and season. The mean seed density for arugula was 42.9 g·m-2, and 41.0 g·m-2 for basil, 57.8 g·m-2 for carrot, 55.7 g·m-2 for the mild blend, 51.5 g·m-2 for the mustard blend and 103.1 g·m-2 for the radish blend. Basil yields increased when temperatures were high in the spring and summer. In contrast, the mustard blend and arugula microgreens produced lower yields when grown in the spring and summer months compared to winter. Basil grew significantly better in full sun, and radish grew better on average when grown in the shade. The seed densities did not correlate with yield as expected. Light exposure and season appeared to be more influential to microgreen yields than seed density. When compared to other similar studies the seed densities, yields and growing conditions were diverse. This publication aimed to address a gap in knowledge on microgreen production methods.
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    An Evaluation of Eight Basil Cultivars for Downy Mildew Resistance in Virginia
    Cooper, Jason (Virginia Tech, 2019-12-23)
    Production of fresh herbs is a trendy market that continues to grow in popularity in the United States. Basil (Ocimum baasilicum) is such an herb that is experiencing growth in popularity, especially sweet basil. In Virginia, sweet basil production is increasing and can occur both within the field and greenhouses. However, basil production faces certain challenges, with the most serious one being disease losses caused by downy mildew. With few effective control measures available it is important to find management practices that can assist in controlling this disease, particularly in organic systems. Thus, studies were performed examining eight different sweet basil cultivars during the summer growing season of 2019. The study took place at Adam’s Apples and Herbs, located in Shenandoah County in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and at Virginia Tech’s Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension (ESAREC) in Painter. At harvest, basil was weighed, by leaf and by stem, and then an average of the weight was calculated as was the height of each cultivar. Disease incidence and severity for each basil cultivar was recorded throughout the course of the study. Little disease occurred during the course of the study in the Shenandoah Valley. However, significant differences in basil cultivar growth and appearance were noted. At the ESAREC, downy mildew did develop and resistant cultivars proved to be effective at suppressing disease.
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    An Evaluation of Eight Pumpkin Varieties in Central Virginia
    Sharpe, Sarah E.W.; Scoggins, Holly L.; Langston, David B.; Rideout, Steven L. (Virginia Tech, 2019-05-24)
    Pumpkin production is on the rise in Virginia. Pumpkins make up 8.4% of the total market value of all vegetables sold in the state and acres in production of pumpkins increased by 5.2% from 2007 to 2012. Types of pumpkin production methods, insect, disease, and weed management, pollination, and harvest and post-harvest management all must be considered by pumpkin producers. Unfortunately, pumpkin cultivar performance in the Mid-Atlantic is not well documented. Thus, a variety study was performed using eight different pumpkin varieties over the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. The study took place at JETT Farms, Inc., located in Madison County in the Central Virginia area. At harvest, pumpkins were counted and weighed, and then an average and total fruit weight was calculated for each cultivar.
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    Experiential Learning in School Gardens and Other Outdoor Environments: A Survey of Needs for Supplemental Programs
    Huckestein, Stephanie Lynn (Virginia Tech, 2008-04-21)
    The purpose of this study was to determine how the Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech can best focus their outreach efforts to benefit the local public school community. The study assessed the needs of local science teachers and how their needs can be met through educational outreach programs. A self-administered online survey was used to inquire about the use of experiential teaching methods using school gardens and other outdoor environments. The survey was also intended to determine interest in incorporating supplemental programs into the K-5 Montgomery County Public School curriculum to enhance the Virginia Standards of Learning related to plants and environmental science. The survey was sent to 273 K-5 teachers in the Montgomery County Public School System in Virginia. Because of the small number of responses, the results from the survey were not representative of the population, but were satisfactory to gain practical information for this study. Data analysis indicated existing programs, the need for programs, and how programs can best be implemented. Existing programs consisted of hands-on activities in the classroom including growing plants from seeds and dissecting and observing plant parts. Experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom included school gardening, observations on the school grounds, and outdoor field trips. Survey respondents indicated a need for supplemental programs related to plants and environmental science. Teachers reported interest in a school gardening program, having a guest speaker in the classroom, receiving curriculum support, and taking their class on a field trip to the Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech. Most teachers also showed interest in receiving in-service training to strengthen their knowledge of plants and environmental science. Based on the results of the study, there is a need for supplemental programs related to plants and environmental science. Engaging lessons should be developed to assist teachers with school gardening programs. Experiential learning opportunities such as meaningful field trips should also be developed. Other methods to supplement school curriculum include providing teachers with curriculum materials and lesson kits. All programs developed should correlate to the state-mandated standards.
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    Field Production of Cut Flowers: Potential Crops
    Scoggins, Holly L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009)
    Offers a chart of flower species suited for growth in fields in hardiness zones 6 to 8. Chart includes name of species, type of plant (annual, biennial, perennial, woody), use, propagation types, planting season, harvest season, and post-harvest treatment.
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    Field Production of Cut Flowers: Potential Crops
    Scoggins, Holly L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019-04-15)
    Shares a chart about flower species suited for growth in fields in hardiness zones 6 to 8. Chart includes names of species, type of plant, uses, propagation types, planting season, harvest season, and post-harvest treatment.
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    Flowering Control and Production of Strobilanthes dyerianus Mast. (Persian Shield)
    Gamrod, Erin Elizabeth (Virginia Tech, 2003-04-08)
    Grown for its distinctive foliage, Strobilanthes dyerianus is a popular bedding and container plant. A problem in production is that over-wintered stock plants often flower. Once the plant becomes reproductive, stem elongation slows and floral buds arise from every node, rendering the plants useless for propagation. The objectives of this research were to examine the effectiveness of manipulating environmental factors and the application of ethephon on preventing floral bud initiation, as well as determine optimal nitrogen rate for stock plant culture. The first experiment was performed in a glass greenhouse and ran 11 weeks, utilizing 8 h, 10 h, 12 h and a 4 h night interruption photoperiod treatments to determine critical photoperiod. None of the photoperiod treatments were significant for inhibiting flowering and there was a positive correlation between plant size and flowering. A second experiment was performed in growth chambers to create three photoperiods (8 h, 12 h and 16 h) with two temperature regimes (24C day/ 21C night and 17C day/ 14C night) for a total of six treatments. Neither photoperiod nor temperature inhibited bud initiation, and there was no correlation between plant size and flowering. The third experiment examined potential use of ethephon to maintain vegetative plants. Six rates of ethephon (0, 150, 300, 450, 600 or 750 mg·Lˉ¹) were applied at three frequencies (weekly, biweekly and monthly) over an eleven week period. Floral initiation was not totally inhibited, but flowering was highly correlated to plant size. Additionally, plant growth response to nitrogen was examined to determine the optimal rate for stock plant production. Plants were treated with 0, 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg·Lˉ¹ N from a 15 N – 2.2 P – 12.4 K fertilizer at each irrigation for eight weeks. There were no differences among plant quality ratings for plants receiving 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg·Lˉ¹ N, and plants grown with 200 mg·Lˉ¹ N had the largest leaf area and shoot dry weight.
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    Fooling mother nature: forcing bulbs for indoor bloom
    Graine, George; Scoggins, Holly L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
    How to force bulbs to bloom indoors
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    Fooling Mother Nature: Forcing Flower Bulbs for Indoor Bloom
    Graine, George; Scoggins, Holly L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2014-04-08)
    Think about bulb forcing as an orderly process. This includes choosing the bulb, storing it if necessary, selecting the right size container, determining the potting mix, planting (including fertilizer, water and location), providing a cooling treatment if necessary and after care. Other considerations may be color, fragrance, and timing for seasonal enjoyment of winter or early spring bloom.
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    Fresh Hops Harvesting and Handling Tips
    Siegle, Laura; Scoggins, Holly L.; Vallotton, Amber (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2018-06-29)
    Discusses ways of harvesting and handling fresh hops, and provides a checklist of tips.
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    GAPs and FSMA--an Overview for Hop Growers in Virginia
    Scoggins, Holly L.; Siegle, Laura; Vallotton, Amber (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2016-12-20)
    Provides an overview of key legal and regulatory points about food safety in relation to growing and selling hops.