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Oregon’s nursery and greenhouse industries sold plants worth $910 million in 2007, most exported across the United States. Nurseries produce bedding plants, perennials, native species, shrubs, specimen trees, turf, and plants for special occasions. More than 2,000 species are grown in Oregon for landscapes, businesses, and consumers. Propagators use tissue culture and other techniques to multiply plants quickly for local nurseries and tree fruit, berry, and hazelnut producers. Each year, new plants, production systems, and ways for people to use, appreciate, and purchase plants are launched by innovative people in the industry. Oregonians enjoy an abundance of plants, products, and other horticultural services.

Teaching

Students learn horticultural principles and practices associated with nursery production. The curriculum includes courses in plant biology and genetics, soils, ecology, and economics, with applications in plant nutrition, pest management, business, and marketing. Students learn to manage real-world dilemmas with case studies, field trips, and internships, interacting with growers, managers, field reps, and consultants. Student-run clubs provide opportunities for leadership and extracurricular activities.

Horticulture courses include:

• Landscape plant materials (three terms)
• Herbaceous ornamental plants
• Greenhouse environments
• Plant tissue culture, plant propagation
• Case studies in crop management systems
• Horticulture management planning
• Internship

Extension

Applied research and educational topics address nutrition and irrigation management, weed control systems, insect and disease management, growing structures, propagation, tissue culture, diagnostics, and other topics. Faculty members report results and best management practices at educational events, on websites, and in bulletins or trade journals. OktoberPest is a popular series with sixty to seventy percent of nursery managers reporting they implemented an improved practice based on information gained by attending a workshop organized by OSU faculty.

Three websites provide timely information:

• Integrated pest management at: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurserypest/
• Weed management at: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds/
• Ornamentals Northwest at: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurserystartup/

Research

A new research team was formed to improve characteristics of the “soil” mix of bark and other materials that nursery producers use to grow and ship plants throughout the United States. Other faculty study insect life cycles and timing of control tactics to manage pests while preserving beneficial insects. Another group began work on sudden oak disease when it threatened the industry and landscapes of Oregon. Researchers develop micro-propagation techniques that are used by many businesses. The value of research innovations in pest management alone is estimated at several million dollars per year.

Other studies include:

• Turning waste products into “soiless” media for nursery production.
• Control of liverwort with natural herbicides.

New directions

•   Study horticultural systems and production practices that protect the environment, natural resources, human health, and economics of nursery enterprises in Oregon
• Examine ways to combine bio-based pest management, precision nutrient delivery, and waste into “soil” supplements to reduce costs, improve plant growth and quality, and market as environmentally friendly plants and products
• Explore plants and plant community dynamics in managed landscapes
• Research, design, and teach a nursery production course that overlaps with ecological landscapes to explore new uses of plants
  

Benefits

• Currently, 100 students are enrolled in horticulture; 33 graduated in 2007.
• We develop ways to conserve water, soil, nutrients, and beneficial species.
• We help the nursery industry thrive as it contributes $780 million to Oregon’s economy and rural communities.
• We create picturesque mosaics and designs of rural sceneries that add to Oregon’s beauty and tourism.
• Our innovative research and Extension programs complement industry rankings nationally.
• We add to consumer enjoyment of healthy lifestyles, lively markets, and convenience.
• We develop activities that link the nursery production and landscape industries.