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 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 Root Root Tip Constriction
Bag Side Wall Root Root Tip New Branch Roots
Planting Holes made with an auger or special planting machine. Flat bottomed. A portion of the bag should be above-ground.
Planting at Mark Fleming’s Nursery
Watering Drip irrigation
Drip Irrigation Mulched Grass Alleys
Harvest Harvest dormant plant material. Small soil volume compared to B&B. Small soil volume compared to B&B. Reduced water holding capacity can’t support developing foliage in the spring. Reduced water holding capacity can’t support developing foliage in the spring. Scrape off outside roots. Remove the bag prior to transplanting.
1” caliper 16” ball diameter B&B ROOT CONTROL BAG 1” caliper 8” diameter bag Smaller soil volume
Harvesting Equipment Smaller plants: shovel or spade. shovel or spade. Larger plants: loader tractor with sling loader tractor with sling forklift forklift
Harvesting at Mark Fleming’s Nursery
Staking May be required because of the small root mass in relation to plant size.
Bag Sizes Bag Size Caliper Size At Harvest 8"1" 10"1 ¼” 12"1 ½” 14"1 ¾” 16"2” 18" 2 ½” 21"3” 24"4” 30"6"
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