Vol. 125 (2012): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Ornamental, Garden & Landscape

Growth of Ornamentals in Containers Shaped Like a Star

Kimberly Moore
University of Florida, IFAS, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
Nancy Calderone Ripak
University of Florida, IFAS, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
Luci Fisher
University of Florida, IFAS, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
Brian Hopper
922 SW Terrace, Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Published 2012-12-01

Keywords

  • girdling roots,
  • circling roots

Abstract

A major concern when growing containerized ornamental plants is circling and girdling roots. Three experiments were conducted to compare shoot and root growth of different ornamental species in traditional round containers (round pot) and in containers shaped like a five-point star (star pot). In experiment 1, live oak (Quercus virginiana) and scrub oak (Quercus ionpina) shoot and root growth was greater in the star pots than in round containers. In experiment 2, hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) shoot growth and root growth also was greater in the star pots. In experiment 3, philodendron (Philodendronspp.) shoot and root growth showed the same trend as previously noted. However, there was no significant difference in dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachiaspp.) shoot or root growth between the containers. Further research should be conducted on the transplant success of woody ornamentals grown in star pots.