American Nurseryman -Jan 2012
Root friendly 15 gallon bags contain encourage the healthy growth of bur oak I read up on all the choices and the root bags made a lot of sense on so many levels Shaw explains Smaller balls for bigger trees less labor smaller equipment and much better root systems That being said we went through six or seven different fabrics since 1983 Laying the foundation Developing a vibrant fibrous root system begins with seed propagation the system for which has evolved over a number of years And the procedures are always being fine tuned It took us 33 years to develop these practices which continue to challenge us Shaw says We have six to 12 research and development projects a year trying to tweak the system We usually have between one and three that pan out that are incorporated into the system In a nutshell seed is propagated in flats with wire bottoms which then are placed on wire benches When the developing roots reach the air they dry out and die which encourages more roots to grow Seedlings are placed in halfpint containers that direct root growth through air holes and the dying andregrowing cycle repeats as the plants are then placed in gallon containers that further encourage a fibrous root system Native Staphylea trifolia American bladdernut thrives in full sun to partial sun and mesic to moist soils in the upper Midwest A side row mulcher is employed to fill aboveground containers at Possibility Place Nursery Five gallon containers are mulched in which reduces soil temperature as well as water use Continued on page 8 www amerinursery com American Nurseryman JANUARY 2012 7
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