production in root control bags commercial plant production
TRANSCRIPT
Production in Root Control Bags
Commercial Plant Production
Root Control Bag Construction
Fabric sides are permeable to water, nutrients & air.
Plastic bottom is glued on, not stitched on.
Root Control Bag
Growing Medium
Native soil
Root Retention at Harvest
WSU article states that > 75% of the plant’s root system is retained at harvest.
Preventing Circling Roots
Root tips penetrate the fabric.
Constriction.
Swelling & carbohydrate build-up.
Callus and root primordia formation.
Bag Side Wall
Root Root Tip
Constriction
Bag Side Wall
Root Root Tip
New Branch Roots
Planting
Holes made with an auger or special planting machine.
Flat bottomed.
A portion of the bag should be above-ground.
Planting at Mark Fleming’s Nursery
Watering
Drip irrigation
• Drip Irrigation• Mulched• Grass Alleys
HarvestHarvest dormant plant material.
Small soil volume compared to B&B.
Reduced water holding capacity can’t support developing foliage in the spring.
Scrape off outside roots.
Remove the bag prior to transplanting.
1” caliper16” ball
diameter
B&B ROOT CONTROL
BAG
1” caliper8”
diameter bag
Smaller soil volume
Harvesting Equipment
Smaller plants: shovel or spade.
Larger plants: loader tractor with sling forklift
Harvesting at Mark Fleming’s Nursery
Staking
May be required because of the small root mass in relation to plant size.
Bag Sizes
Bag SizeCaliper Size At Harvest
8" 1"
10" 1 ¼”
12" 1 ½”
14" 1 ¾”
16" 2”
18" 2 ½”
21" 3”
24" 4”
30" 6"
The End