Tips for container production
There is no doubt that I have not given the container producers equal time over the years. So, I will attempt to pot up some wisdom for you.
First thing, it might help to Think ‘Out of the Container’ occasionally. Look at the roots occasionally and definitely when there is a problem. Never call about a problem without being able to describe the roots. Do not be afraid of getting dirty. Use a box or sheet of poly to save the nutrients and media. The growth and color of the roots can sometimes tell a lot.
Reduce blow-overs. (A wire trellis, rebar driven diagonally through pot, commercially molded plastic trays 1-3 gal (www.containerslik.com 866-867-7545), gallons staggered in concrete reinforcement wire or hog panels, above ground PNP, 1’2″ rebar bent into a ‘C’ that is used as a large staple to connect 2 pots, Multi-leg Wire Stabilizer 3-25 gal. (multi sources; www.cherokeemfg.com 800-798-9473 [email protected]; Alabama Wire calls theirs a Container Stabilization Basket 800-749-3504 www.alabamawire.com Ask for more details. I can email images of some items.
Monitor pH and nutrition of the leachate every 2 weeks with a Myron L meter during the growing season. Check pH of incoming pine bark. Do not add more nutrients in late summer without checking soluble salts. A dry media may present symptoms that could be misunderstood as needing more fertilizer.
Avoid plant stress; monitor container moisture frequently (strive for 20-25 percent leaching fraction) Ask for the procedure.
Sanitation is critical to reduce all pests. Never allow weeds to mature and produce seed in pots, between pots, between overwintering houses, in drainage ways, or in surrounding areas. Do not reuse propagation trays & small containers, which had weeds. Seed stay with the containers. Benefit from research. Only new containers will be weed free.
Strive for uniformity in all you do so you can find the problems when they arise… ie- uniform irrigation heads, media mixing; keep fertility simple.
Design nursery for least distance to move plants. Labor most expensive part of production.
Use the Dwight Hughes’ chuck wagon approach for saving time. Prepare a trailer for irrigation, spot weed control, fertility, etc. Load it with everything that will be needed; a place for everything and everything in its place; so something missing will be noticed and can be replaced that night or next morning before heading out. This will avoid wasted down time coming back and forth to the office to get stuff.
A trailer is suggested so that any vehicle can pull it; a vehicle might have to leave the premises if maintenance is required; a vehicle might be driven off the premises for a doctor appt. but the trailer remains & what is in it remains accessible.
Do Not cut too many of the fibrous roots from liners to fit the container size. Do Not plant too deep. Do Not plant into a container too small & reduce growth rate. Bump or shift up every 12 months to avoid the roots from becoming pot-bound. Drainage decreases with media deterioration.
Do Not apply dry fertilizer after July 1. Later is likely to invite freeze injury. Liquid feeding can occur up until Sept 15 without injury usually.
Do Not change a successful media recipe.
Container Irrigation
Run an irrigation suitability test on new water sources before investing, on new wells before using. Test during wet and dry periods for base line data for the file.
Plan for run-off water. Catch and recycle irrigation water. Prevent erosion.
Check water distribution patterns with rain gauges or cans of same size. Volumes should be within 5 percent. Replace with the same head, not whatever is handy. Verify all heads are same if you do not know.
Determine water output per time ( x gallons per hour or minute). Most growers irrigate an hour but have no idea how many gallons that is (in acre inches). An acre inch is about 27,000 gallons. An acre is 43,560 sq ft.
Design for 100 percent overlap to counter wind effects.