Abstract
Abstract Effects of plant size and landscape exposure on survival and subsequent growth of transplanted, container-grown mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia L. ‘Olympic Wedding’) were studied at two locations. Plants of ‘Olympic Wedding’ mountain laurel grown in 1, 7.5, or 19 liter (1 qt, 2 gal, or 5 gal) containers for 1,2, or 3 years, respectively, were transplanted in Raleigh, NC, and Blacksburg, VA, in tilled beds amended with pine bark along four exposures (north, south, east, and west). In Raleigh, survival increased with increasing container size with plants grown initially in 19 liter containers having the highest rate of survival whereas, survival was greatest on the east and north exposures and lowest on the west exposure. There was no difference in survival between container sizes or exposures for plants grown in Blacksburg. After three growing seasons in the landscape, visual ratings in Raleigh were higher for plants grown initially in 7.5 liter (2 gal) containers than for plants grown in 1 (1 qt) or 19 liter (15 gal) containers. Visual ratings were higher on north and east exposures than on south and west exposures regardless of container size. In Blacksburg, percent leaf scorch was lower for 1 and 7.5 liter (1 qt and 2 gal) plants, than for 19 liter (5 gal), and was highest on west exposures. Growth index (GI) increased 118% from 1999 to 2001 in Raleigh and 225% from 1999 to 2002 in Blacksburg for 1 liter (1 qt) plants and 51% in Raleigh and 78% in Blacksburg for 7.5 liter (2 gal) plants over the course of the experiment. There was an initial increase in GI for 19 liter (5 gal) plants in both locations, but in subsequent years GI decreased due to stem dieback. In Raleigh, GI of 7.5 liter (2 gal) and 19.5 liter (50 gal) plants grown on the east exposure was greater than plants grown on the south exposure with no difference due to exposure at Blacksburg. Results suggest that in climates similar to Raleigh, initial container size and exposure affect survival of transplanted mountain laurel, but in cooler climates like Blacksburg, initial container size and exposure may not be critical factors except in windy exposures.
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