Hurricane Season Begins Today – Here Is Your Preparation Checklist
Hurricane season officially begins today, and we’ve already experienced the impacts of subtropical storm Alberto. Each year, the kickoff to hurricane season brings with it a number of recommendations, from hurricane preparation kits to family emergency plans, but what about developing a plan to protect your turf and landscapes? Maintaining healthy trees and plants is one of the best ways to help your landscapes weather the storm. From high winds to salt toxicity, we have several solutions to help you prepare and recover from the impacts of hurricanes and other major storms.
Water Management
Though storms often bring a significant amount of rainfall, power outages can knock out irrigation systems for a week or longer. Greenhouse growers, nurseries, farms, and garden centers may have to lay plants down or disconnect their irrigation systems during storm preparation. Minimizing stress from lack of water following a major storm can help prevent further damage from pest pressures and diseases. Furthermore, maintaining proper soil moisture management as part of a regular maintenance program promotes healthier plants which will be less susceptible to a variety of stressors.
Hydretain® is a unique root zone moisture management technology that functions to convert subsurface moisture vapor into plant usable water droplets. Hydretain reduces drought stress by maintaining the water supply to plants for extended periods between watering. Benefits include:
- Reducing overall watering requirements
- Reducing the need for hand watering
- Protecting against drought stress
- Improving plant establishment
Root Enhancement
Strong roots lead to healthy plants. Whether you are installing new plants or maintaining existing ones, focusing on root development is one of the best ways to protect plants from many different stressors throughout the growing season as well as during major storms. Building a strong and healthy root mass can also help protect trees and other plants from being uprooted with high winds. Root enhancement technologies are also a great tool to help plants recover from stress or storm damage.
CytoGro® (foliar or soil applied) is an EPA registered hormone biostimulant for root development. It promotes deeper, denser root systems, increases stress tolerance, speeds recovery and grow-in, improves salinity tolerance, and increases transplant survival. Try using CytoGro to help strengthen roots this hurricane season.
NutriRoot® (soil applied) supplies organic matter and aids in the proliferation of soil microorganisms. This formulation reduces water run-off from repellent and dry soil surfaces. This is a great solution because it can be used throughout the entire growing season. Other benefits include:
- Aiding in transplant success
- Reducing watering frequency and plant loss
- Increasing root development
- Providing supplemental micro and macro nutrients
Shortstop® 2SC (basal drench) assists in internal water management under high salt soil conditions. It’s a great solution for increasing fine root mass after root loss from weather events or soil erosion, and it encourages thicker foliage that is more resistant to pest pressure. Shortstop 2SC reduces pruning and enhances chlorophyll production, resulting in greener plants.
Salt Damage
Excess sodium build-up from storm surge, salt water intrusion, and driving coastal rains can wreak havoc on our landscapes. Try using Na-X™ Soil Salt Flush to help eradicate this problem. It is a liquid electrolyte solution of urea and calcium designed to rapidly reduce sodium levels and improve soil structure.
Nutrition, Insect, and Disease Management
Plants that are already stressed from nutritional deficiencies, insect infestations, or diseases are far more susceptible to storm damage. Maintaining proper nutritional, insect, and disease management programs can go a long way to helping keep your plants safe during adverse weather conditions. We recommend you help strengthen your palm and trees’ natural defenses and protect them against attack using our 3-Step Plant Healthcare (PHC) Program.
- Nutrient package formulated to improve overall plant health and vigor
- Trunk injection for quick uptake of nutrients
- Long residual (full season in many cases)
- Low doses with effective results
- Plant resistance activator (stimulates plants’ own defense system)
- Strengthens cell walls (aids in plant recovery)
- Works as a fungicide, plant health elicitor, and degrades into plant nutritional components
- Season-long control of many insect pests, including White Fly, Royal Palm Bug, Weevils (including Palm), Mealybug, Soft Scales, Leaf Hoppers, Leaf Miners, Buprestid Borers, Longhorn Beetle, and many more
- Injected insecticide for two-year control of insect and mite pests, including Pine Bark Beetle, Ambrosia Beetle, Leaf Feeding Caterpillars, Gall Wasp (various), Borers (various), Conifer Mites, and many others in deciduous, coniferous, and palm trees
Pond Management
High volumes of storm water may cause an increase in contaminants and excess nutrients in ponds and water features. Aqua-T contains a blend of beneficial bacteria designed to help digest excess nutrients. Starting an Aqua-T program will improve water quality and clarity and reduce odors.
Is your landscape prepared for this hurricane season? Connect with an Arborjet expert or a recommended service provider in your area today to discuss the best solutions for you!
