260 likes | 558 Views
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.
E N D
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.
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 Constriction Root Tip Root
Bag Side Wall New Branch Roots Root Root Tip
Planting • Holes made with an auger or special planting machine. • Flat bottomed. • A portion of the bag should be above-ground.
Watering • Drip irrigation
Drip Irrigation • Mulched • Grass Alleys
Harvest • Harvest 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.
B&B ROOT CONTROL BAG Smaller soil volume 1” caliper 16” ball diameter 1” caliper 8” diameter bag
Harvesting Equipment • Smaller plants: • shovel or spade. • Larger plants: • loader tractor with sling • forklift
Staking May be required because of the small root mass in relation to plant size.