For 1- and 3 gallon containers, there is no practical alternative to overhead sprinklers. Yes, they waste a lot of water, but the cost and complication of using spray stakes, etc. is not the answer. Drip emitters over the top of 1 gallon does not work, mostly because of the expansion and contraction of the…
We suggest that harvested trees in Knit Fabric containers be placed above ground and NOT mulched in. The main reason mulching is done is to keep B&B trees from blowing over and to aid the tree, since 95% or more of the roots were lost in harvesting. If you place the trees grown in Knit…
It depends on your location and growing conditions. If your containers are out of doors in full sun with moderate air movement, then 10 to 12 inches is probably sufficient. If you are growing seedlings in a structure where air movement is limited, you may need to have your wire benches 16 – 24 inches…
No. The bottoms of the round and the square 1-gallon containers as well as the 3-gallon containers are designed to be placed on ground cover cloth or plastic. Air-root-pruning is accomplished by air circulation around the containers at both sidewalls and drain holes at the sides of the bottoms. The only situation I have observed…
A 12-inch auger works well for installing 5-Gallon Grounders™, especially if it is fitted with a depth control leg that ensures that each hole is 7 inches deep, even if the ground is somewhat uneven. I took the “teeth” off my 12-inch auger and sharpened edge of the auger flighting. This gives a clean hole…
There is no precise answer here as soils are extremely variable. However, if you suspect that the soil is becoming sufficiently compacted to restrict oxygen and inhibit root growth and drainage, do a perc test. Simply remove the container, fill the hole with water, wait about 30 minutes and fill the holes again. If the…
It is not necessary to ship the plants in the RootBuilder® container for the root ball to stay together because the roots are so fibrous. The technique that both customers and nurseries are pleased with is to lift the trees at the nursery, remove the RootBuilder® container and cover the root ball with black stretch…
There is nothing wrong with germinating seeds in flats then transferring seedlings to RootMaker® trays – as long as it is done when the seedlings are quite small. This is what I practice at Lacebark for many of the species I work with – and primarily because seed germination can be so unpredictable and in…
RootMaker® containers, including RMII-32 propagation trays work on annuals, perennials, vegetables, etc. just as they do on woody plants. The more the root system is forced to branch the more the nutrient absorptive surface is increased, which in turn increases growth and overall plant health. Interestingly this has also increased both flower production and fruit…
For Knit Fabric, in-ground, containers the spacing should be roughly 4 foot centers for nearly all species. Consider the growth and development of trees in 12 or 14-inch containers versus 18 inch. Trees in 12 of the 14-inch containers will typically be harvested when the stem diameter is 2 inches. For trees in 18-inch diameter…
