JohnL48
Well-Known Member
Right now I have 46 seedlings doing well
One Thousand Chestnut Trees - a Whitetail Deer Project
- Thread starter wbpdeer
- Start date
Cap'n
Active Member
I use 1 gal grow bags for my seedlings and they make it through Oklahoma summers into fall / winter when they are planted. I would think your summer would be less intense on the seedlings than ours.
https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/root-pouch-boxer-brown-fabric-pot-longest-lifespan
The only thing I dont like about them is the roots grow into the seams and you have to use a long knife to cut them out. I wanted to be able to use them for 2-3 seasons is why I bought the thick ones. They also have them that are made of a thinner fabric for planting with the tree.
https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/root-pouch-boxer-brown-fabric-pot-longest-lifespan
The only thing I dont like about them is the roots grow into the seams and you have to use a long knife to cut them out. I wanted to be able to use them for 2-3 seasons is why I bought the thick ones. They also have them that are made of a thinner fabric for planting with the tree.
I use the thin black ones. Right now my seedlings are about 12-16 inches and in RM 18 cells. Once it gets warm enough (soon) I’ll transplant them to these root bags over summer, then plant in the fall. I like these because they aren’t to thick. I cut the bottom right now and the rest of it slides off when I’m planting them in their final spot.
https://www.greenhousemegastore.com...nth?returnurl=/containers-trays/bags-pouches/
https://www.greenhousemegastore.com...nth?returnurl=/containers-trays/bags-pouches/
Cap'n
Active Member
They are hard to cut off. I do not recommend them. I can do it now without messing up the root ball but the first few I tried I didn't do a good job on. When I plant a tree I document who the nut came from and what kind of pot and size of pot it was in. Just so I can see what works best. I usually take 1/2 of my seedlings and put them in 3 gal and over winter them in a makeshift greenhouse and keep them 2 seasons before planting. Live and learn, but it sure is fun. And the trees have done well even with the mistakes I've made along the way.I used those thick brown ones last time. They were a pain to cut off. Trying these this yr. Biodegradable and 100 bags cost $ 6.58 lol
wbpdeer
Well-Known Member
The rule would be a two year old seedling has a better, more mature root system, as long as the container didn't cause the roots to circle and become root bound. Most seedling grows learn to move them up in pot size so they don't become root bound.
Now if you have a chance to check the roots on the two year old seedling you can confirm if they were moved up in pot size frequent enough.
Never underestimate the importance of planting a seedling properly and protecting it so the deer don't destroy your hard work.
Five seedlings properly planted are better off than 25 exposed and not properly planted.
Good luck,
Wayne
Now if you have a chance to check the roots on the two year old seedling you can confirm if they were moved up in pot size frequent enough.
Never underestimate the importance of planting a seedling properly and protecting it so the deer don't destroy your hard work.
Five seedlings properly planted are better off than 25 exposed and not properly planted.
Good luck,
Wayne
My apology I left out keyword bare-root. My question was pertaining to bare root grown nursery stock.these seedlings were cut back a couple of times on the top but their roots were not pruned at all so would I be right in saying the two year olds would suffer more transplant shock then one year olds..again then being bare root thank you
wbpdeer
Well-Known Member
Yarg,
I would go with the 2 year old seedlings if it was me. I use a product called moisture mizer sold by the Wildlife Group in Alabama. I would put a good bit of that in water. I would dunk the transplanted seedling so it could soak at least a minute to two minutes.
Then I would plant it in a hole that is deeper than the roots / root ball. I would back fill the hole some at the bottom. I want the hole larger in circumference to get the roots room to establish into favorable soil first before stiffer soil second.
I am less concerned with shock, I want the larger roots to help feed the top growth the next 4 months.
My thoughts - good planting methods is more critical to me than shock. Shock is part of it.
Wayne
I would go with the 2 year old seedlings if it was me. I use a product called moisture mizer sold by the Wildlife Group in Alabama. I would put a good bit of that in water. I would dunk the transplanted seedling so it could soak at least a minute to two minutes.
Then I would plant it in a hole that is deeper than the roots / root ball. I would back fill the hole some at the bottom. I want the hole larger in circumference to get the roots room to establish into favorable soil first before stiffer soil second.
I am less concerned with shock, I want the larger roots to help feed the top growth the next 4 months.
My thoughts - good planting methods is more critical to me than shock. Shock is part of it.
Wayne
wbpdeer
Well-Known Member
John,
Everything you do turns out great. Your seedlings do look super. I would mix some of the fertilizer in the attached photo. I would feed every two weeks - I am a Wednesday guy but I am retired. Stop feeding at the July 1 mark because you don't want more tender growth to occur due to cold week coming. That last sentence assumes you are planting before frost.
Growing inside and then planting after they go dormant means the spring of 2020 they have a huge head start.
Here is what I used to feed my seedlings. The key words - "all acid loving plants"
Everything you do turns out great. Your seedlings do look super. I would mix some of the fertilizer in the attached photo. I would feed every two weeks - I am a Wednesday guy but I am retired. Stop feeding at the July 1 mark because you don't want more tender growth to occur due to cold week coming. That last sentence assumes you are planting before frost.
Growing inside and then planting after they go dormant means the spring of 2020 they have a huge head start.
Here is what I used to feed my seedlings. The key words - "all acid loving plants"
Mine are doing well should I add a tiny bit of fertilizer at this point ?
