Plant production: container options

1
Plant production container options

• David A. Bainbridge
• Alliant International University
• Author A Guide for Desert and Dryland
  Restoration 2007

2
Why containers

• Container planting is desirable because direct
  seeding may succeed only once every ten years in
  the desert (Cox et al., 1982)
• Good seedling survival and growth from containers
  can be expected even in areas with less than 3
  inches 75 mm of rain per year if plants are
  well prepared
• And provided with protection from grazing and
  minimal water

3
Deep containers

• The choice of container type is guided by
  ecological, physical and bureaucratic issues
• Use local site adapted seed
• Deeper (taller) containers have often been more
  successful
• The more uncertain the climate and the
  bureaucratic environment - the bigger the
  containers should be

4
Container goals

• A container that will produce an acceptable
  seedling at the highest practical growing
  density, in the shortest time, at the lowest cost
• Easy to handle and plant
• Suited to the project, site environment, and
  planting and maintenance program

5
Restoration v/s landscape plants
6
Root development wanted

• Small shoots and vigorous roots are wanted
• The root/shoot ratio should favor roots
• Fertilizer management and pruning may be used to
  get good root/shoot ratios

7
Container options
8
Supercells

• The ten cubic inch plastic cell fits in a rack
• The plastic holders are relatively fragile
• I like to transfer cells to 5 gallon plastic
  bucket with a rack

9
Plant bands

• Plant bands are square tubes made with folded and
  glued plastic or foil coated cardstock
• Plant Bands with holes can lead to root tangles
• Plant bands can be pulled up over the plant in
  some cases for minimal root disturbance

10
Half high

• Smoothwall PVC 6 x 16
• If drainpipe or less shiny plastic is used it can
  be hard to get the plants out without disturbing
  roots
• The bottom can be closed with a crossed wire and
  wire mesh disk or shadecloth or screen taped onto
  the pipe
• This summer I am trying Tubex shrub plant
  protectors as containers. Pulling it up after
  planting would give a secure and effective
  protector

11
Container suppliers

• Listed in book - one good source is Stuewe and
  Sons
• Plant bands can be custom made at any size

12
Other options

• Citrus pots and tall containers
• It is often good to use tapered pots upside down
  - this minimizes root disturbance on planting

13
Tall pots

• The Center for Arid Lands Restoration at Joshua
  Tree National Monument (JTN Park) pioneered the
  development of the Tall Pot made with 32 inch
  tall, 6 inch diameter PVC pipe (Apache 2729)

14
Jelly Roll

• For some situations and species the best
  container is no container
• Plants are grown in a loose soil mix, then rolled
  bareroot in a roll of absorbent paper or Kimtex
• A cooler can hold hundreds of plants

15
Other challenges

• Timing - what do you do if contracts are delayed?
• This field of cholla was finally plowed down - it
  became too hard to handle after a long delay

16
Soil Mix

• Many desert species have limited defenses against
  root rots, damping off, and other pathogens
• They may also have high oxygen demand
• Well drained soil mix (washed plaster sand is
  often used)
• Experimental trials recommended before big
  grow-outs are attempted
• The soil mix must fit the container, plant
  species, irrigation, and nursery operation

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Inoculation

• VA mycorrhizal fungi (P) and rhizobia (N) may be
  important for some larger disturbances such as
  mines and borrow pits
• But on most sites native species will colonize
  roots
• If needed collect inoculum on site and put in
  planting holes

18
Handling

• Efficient and gentle handing and staging is
  important to reduce the cost of planting and
  improve survival
• Contract growing may be more efficient than
  starting a local nursery which can be labor
  intensive and 24/7

19
Cost per survivor

• It depends on the year, the site, the planter and
  the species
• With water and plant protection
• An average survival and cost per survivor might
  be something like
• Supercell 40 15
• Plant band 60 10
• Tall pot 95 30

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The right choice

• There is no one container or production system
  suitable for all conditions and species
• Deep containers generally result in higher
  survival and better growth
• A combination of small through large containers
  is often best
• This might include 10 tall pots, 20 half
  highs, 30 plant bands and 40 supercells

21
Out of season

• Growing plants out of season never seems to be
  worth it
• Even when contracts come at the wrong time it is
  better to wait
• Build in sufficient time to collect seed, prepare
  sites and grow healthy plants

22
Everything has to be right!

• Neglect of any of the key factors may lead to
  complete failure or very low survival
• Plant protection rarely receives sufficient
  attention
• Irrigation is important and rainwater harvesting
  can help
• With careful preparation, good protection and
  some water -- excellent survival and growth may
  be achieved with minimal water use, limited
  maintenance, and low cost

23
The toughest conditions

• Off road vehicle damage A-BDSP
• Far from the road, 4wd access only
• Pitting, seeding and container planting
• Low budget - or the road could have been filled in