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- Author or Editor: David L. Sanford x
Green roof construction is constrained by cost of labor to install the plant material. Optimizing seed germination and establishment could significantly reduce installation costs but would require specific growing conditions that are difficult to provide during installation. Plants of the stonecrop (Sedum) genus are commonly used for the roof top because they will tolerate the high temperatures. This study compared the germination rates of four stonecrop species {goldmoss sedum (Sedum acre), ‘Oracle’ sedum (Sedum forsterianum), blue spruce sedum (Sedum reflexum), and amur sedum [Sedum selskianum (synonm Phedimus selskianum)]} at two temperatures, 70 and 90 °F, following storage of seed in dry, cool (40 °F) conditions of different durations (54, 98, 157, 197, 255, or 343 days). At 70 °F seed of goldmoss sedum, ‘Oracle’ sedum, and blue spruce sedum produced minimum germination rates of 60% at 21 days in seed stored for 54, 98, 157, 197, 255, or 343 days. Goldmoss sedum, ‘Oracle’ sedum, and blue spruce sedum showed reduced germination in 90 °F, probably due to temperature-induced dormancy. Amur sedum had germination of at least 83% at 21 days in both temperatures tested. As amur sedum germination rates appear to be unaffected in the temperatures tested, it could provide an excellent seed for use on green roofs where ideal temperatures are rarely available.
Fresh mushroom compost is a byproduct of the edible mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) industry and represents the composted growing substrate that remains after a crop has been harvested to completion. Thirty samples were obtained from commercial mushroom farms in southeastern Pennsylvania and sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine plant nutrient content, bulk density, and particle size distribution of fresh mushroom compost. Fresh mushroom compost had an average pH of 6.6, with an average carbon:nitrogen ratio of 13:1. Organic matter content averaged 25.86% (wet weight), 146.73 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or 60.97% (dry weight). For the primary macronutrients, average total nitrogen content averaged 1.12% (wet weight), 6.40 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or 2.65% (dry weight), phosphorus measured 0.29% (wet weight), 1.67 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or 0.69% (dry weight), and potassium was 1.04% (wet weight), 5.89 lb/yard3 (wet volume) or 2.44% (dry weight). Average soluble salt content was 13.30 mmho/cm (wet weight basis). However, on a per acre basis, the calculated sodium absorption ratio of 0.38 was considered very low. The average bulk density of fresh mushroom compost was 574.73 lb/yard3 (wet volume basis), and 91% of the material measured ≤3/8 inch in diameter as determined on a wet weight basis. Overall, fresh mushroom compost is suitable as a natural organic fertilizer and soil amendment for agriculture and horticulture.