Controlled Release Fertilizers and Fertigation in Nursery Pot Production of Quercus Species

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns led to an increase in revenue and production for green industry products in early 2020. An evaluation of fertigation (liquid feed, quick release) and controlled release fertilizers (CRFs, slow release) were applied to container-grown (7 gallon) live oak (Quercus virginiana) and Nutall oak (Quercus nuttallii) trees (100% Liquid feed, 0% CRF, 67% Liquid feed, 33% CRF, 33% Liquid feed, 67% CRF, 100% Liquid feed, 0% CRF). Live oak trees fertilized with CRFs had increased stem calipers (>30%). Nuttall stem caliper and height were significantly increased by 62% and 58%, respectively, with substrate incorporation of CRFs. Live oak tree height was increased by 35% and stem caliper when CRFs were incorporated.