February March 2018

10 colorad o nga.org LooseLeaf February/March 2018 Growers should start with selecting bare root suppliers “that will stand behind their products and help you if there is a problem,” said Alameda Wholesale Nursery Delivered Sales Manager Steve Brown, CCNP. “Even the best suppliers have problems, from digging too late or early or storing the product at the wrong temperature or wrong moisture level. Those are beyond your control, but selecting a good supplier will protect you in the long run.” Upon arrival, bare root stock should be stored in a cool and damp location, away from extreme heat or cold and direct sunlight. After that, proper pruning, planting, and watering are necessary for good results. “The biggest problem with new bare root not surviving is over- pruning of the root system and continued heavy watering,” said Alameda’s Production Manager Bob Mudra. “The most important part of planting bare root is to not plant them too deep, which will kill a bare root plant.” Boxelder Tree Farm Field Production Manager Brad Meyer also lists proper planting depth as one of the top three concerns that affect success with bare root. To ensure plants are in the soil at the right point of the trunk, he recommends checking within a couple days of planting and making adjustments as necessary. Proper pruning is also in the top three, especially making sure to balance the roots and the tops of the plants. “I learned in school that you should not prune the tops at all, because when you do the plant produces gibberellins, which promote top growth. Science shows not to prune at planting, but if you don’t prune the top, you have other problems,” Meyer said. “That’s always been a point of contention between nursery professionals and academia. You can’t have those big, long, heavy tops when the tree is not rooted out yet.” And his third, but most important way of ensuring success with bare root is selecting a good quality liner. Starting with a liner from a supplier that focuses on producing the healthiest bare root is key. One of Boxelder’s suppliers is Carlton Plants of Oregon, which “pioneered the idea of starch testing trees before digging them (a process that determines the amount of sugar-starch content in the root systems' cambium layers to indicate whether a plant is dormant enough to be harvested). The plants are healthier in the spring, and very strong in leafing out,” said Meyer, adding that Carlton’s other production practices like undercutting and refrigerated storage likely add to the high quality as well. “A lot of times you can pay less to get a B grade or less quality liner, but that money you save at the beginning is lost later on correcting flaws in the plant,” he concluded. From selecting and storing to pruning and planting, each step in caring for bare root liners is critical for their future growth into healthy, thriving plants. Whether bare root shrubs and trees are destined to be grown in the ground or containers, most of the same principles apply to how they are maintained before and during placement in the soil. Photo courtesy of Carlton Plants Best Practices for Ensuring Success with Bare Root Stock

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