Plant Health
PLANTING FOR SUCCESS
Article By: Monrovia - Horticultural Craftsman
The success of plants in the landscape depends on a number of factors: ornamental appeal, ability to adapt o soil and environmental conditions. quality of the planting stock, planting technique, and subsequent maintenance. Proper handling prior to and during the planting process can ensure a plant's initial establishment and future contribution to the ornamental characteristics of the landscape. Landscape plants can be purchased from nurseries or garden centers in three different forms: bare root, balled and burlapped, and in containers. There are general planting procedures that are common to all forms and others that are specific to the nature of the form.
Bare-Root
Bare-root (BR), as the name implies, means the soil was removed from the root system during the harvesting process. Nurseries are equipped with storage facilities to maintain the quality of the plant prior to sale. Availability of bare-root plants is restricted to the dormant season and to a narrow selection of plants. Fruit trees, roses, herbaceous perennials and evergreen seedlings are commonly marketed as bare-root stock. When purchasing bare-root plants, care must be taken to keep the root systems moist. If planting must be delayed, wrap the roots in a moist material and store in a cool, dark place. "Heeling in" is sometimes recommended. "Heeling in" refers to temporarily placing the plants in moist compost, mulch or loosened soil. If the root system appears dry prior to planting, soak it in water for up to an hour. This will re-hydrate the roots and aid in future root development. Immediately prior to planting, prune damaged. broken or excessively long roots that will not fit loosely into the planting hole. The root system should be placed into the hole without twisting, bending or kinking any roots.
Balled & Burlapped
Balled-and-burlapped (B&B) plants are field grown and harvested with a ball of soil around the roots. The soil ball may be wrapped in natural burlap, a woven synthetic fabric or placed in a combination burlap and wire basket. Sisal or synthetic twine is used to secure the wrapped material to the soil ball and stabilize the plant truck within the soil mass. B&B plants are primarily harvested during the dormant season, although summer harvest is successful with extended care on a select group of species. B&B plants can be stored for extended periods. Care must be taken to keep soil balls intact and moist. Roots will regenerate and grow within the soil ball during storage.
After positioning the soil ball in the planting hole, remove all sisal or synthetic twine from the base of the trunk or stems. This will prevent future problems with girdling. All synthetic fabric should be totally removed from the soil ball. Synthetic fabrics do not decompose and will cause problems with soil moisture and future root growth. Natural burlap should be cut away or folded back from the top of the soil ball. Burlap along the side of the ball will decompose in a relative short time. It is generally recommended to cut the top ring of surface following planting if not removed.
Soils may differ between the nursery and the planting site. For example, the soil ar your location may contain more clay. Differences in soil type could potentially cause a problem with water movement between existing soil and the plant soil ball. Loosen the soil at the top and edges of the soil ball, exposing some roots. Backfilling existing soil around these roots will minimize problems. It is important to check the moisture conditions of the plant ball when determining watering needs.
Container
Container production was developed for efficient production, ease of handling and to extend the planting season. Container plants come in all shapes and sizes, from flat of annuals to a large selection of ornamental trees. Due to the "ideal: growing condition during production, container plants are usually very vigorous and care must be taken when transporting into natural soil conditions. When planting, remove the plant from the container. Some plants may be grown in paper-måché. Paper products will degrade in time, however, the barrier formed by the paper will restrict soil water movement between the pot media and existing soil, causing the pot media to dry out during initial establishment. The paper may also delay root extension into surrounding soil.
Examine the root system. It is important to loosen the mass of roots. Root system encircling the edge of the media in a dense matter are referred to as being "pot bound." If allowed to persist, the pot-bound condition will restrict root development into surrounding soil. It also causes difficulty in wetting the root mass, leading to a decline in appearance of the plant. "Butterflying" is a technique used to loosen a pot-bound root mass. A shovel is driven through the root system from the bottom. Rotate the plant 90 degrees and cut through again. This will result in four lobes on the bottom of the mass.
These lobes are spread when positioning the plant in the hole. Circling roots on the top half of the mass are loosened by hand or slashed with a knife. The butterfly technique will allow new roots to regenerate into existing soil and facilitate the integration of existing soil into the core of the container mass. Lightly prune the tops of new shoots if plants are actively growing when planted with the butterfly technique. Container media are light, well drained and require frequent inspection to ensure ample moisture conditions during establishment.
General Planting Information
The planting hole should be approximately two to three times wider than the soil ball or container. The depth of the hole should allow the plant roots to sit at the same level as in the nursery of slightly above the existing soil line. The bottom of the hole should be firm to prevent future settling of the plant. With regard to bare-root plants, the width of the hole should accommodate the spreading roots. The bottom of the hole can be mounted to support the root crown and minimize settling as soil works its way around the roots. In poorly drained or compacted soils, the plant are sometimes positioned six inches above the existing soil lie with the planting backfill forming a mound. In severe situations, subsurface drainage system are installed at the time of planting.
Plants should be backfilled with the soil that was removed when digging the hole. the addition of large amounts of organic matter does or necessarily improve plant growth. In poorly drained soil, the addition of organic matter may result in an excessively wet condition and subsequent rotting of roots. However, plants in sandy soils can benefit from the increased water-holding ability of organic matter. Shape a basin at the soil surface to encompass the planting hole. The basin will retain water during irrigation and allow for slow percolation into the soil.
Mulch top dressing are used primarily to conserve moisture and minimize weed growth. A top dressing of approximately three inched will benefit plant growth during the establishment period.
Stakes are used to stabilize the plant during the first one to two years following planting. Staking is usually performed on trees. Stakes are driven through the planting backfill into the undisturbed soil. Generally two staked with support wire are used to secure the trunk in a vertical position. Rubber hose pieces are used to protect the trunk from wire damage.
New plants should be monitored on a regular basis to ensure moist soil conditions during establishment. A slow-release fertilizer can be added to ensure available nutrients when the new root system has developed. A light pruning can also be done at planting. Planting time is a good opportunity to develop the structural framework of the plant. Remove crossing and/or damaged branched while forming the plant's intended shape.
Plants certainly form the backbone of our landscapes. Proper planting procedure will ensure their successful establishment and future aesthetic appeal.