Management of liverwort in container cultivation - Swedish growers' experiences

Liverwort in container cultivation is a common problem for many nurseries around the country. The problem is associated with perennial nurseries. The environment of container cultivation is nutritious and moist and is therefore optimal for the liverwort to grow and develop. In good conditions the liverwort will spread both generative and vegetative. To overcome the problem with liverwort requires efforts of the nurseries that takes time and therefore costs money. The purpose of the study is to collect empirical knowledge about the management of liverwort from Swedish growers and the methods that can be used to minimize fouling of liverwort in container cultivation. The study has been done by different types of interviews partly done through e-mail communications but also by visiting one nursery for an interview and even a telephone interview. The result is a compilation of the responses I received on the management of liverwort. The survey is conducted to see if the nursery growers have similar experiences and if onclusions can be drawn by comparing with research and literature that has been written on the topic liverwort and weeds generally in container cultivation. The study will mainly focus on liverwort but other weeds are also present around the nurseries. The reason why the liverwort has to be removed from the pots is that according GROs (Gröna näringens riksorganisation) quality standards for nursery plants no weeds are allowed upon delivery to the customer. In addition, the plant's ability to absorb nutrients and water deteriorate if a layer of liverwort is located on the surface of the pot The nursery growers agree that liverwort occur as problems in the cultures but they differ in the extent they think the problem is. Some of the informants see liverwort as an everyday operation while others are actively working to prevent the growth of liverwort. Nursery growers clears the pots by hand or use of chemical pesticides to minimize fouling of liverwort. Although methods to prevent liverwort in container cultivation is used on several nurseries.Uppsats för avläggande av filosofie kandidatexamen i Kulturvård, Trädgårdens hantverk och design, 15 hp, 201