The experience of growing the planting material of the Thuja occidentalis ᾽Smaragd᾽ with a closed root system using "Pot-in-pot" technology

Abstract

In the Russian nursery industry, there are certain standards for planting material developed for all types of plants that dictating clear requirements for nursery products, in case of deviation from which, the competitive-ness of the nursery in the plant market decreases. In order to grow healthy planting material that meets all the required standards, it is necessary to apply modern cultivation technologies that provide all the conditions for the uniform development of the aboveground and underground parts of the plant, without any disease. This article discusses the experience of growing Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ planting material with a closed root system in containers. Observations on the condition of 180 containerized seedlings on three experimental sites in the nursery - an open area, a shaded area and a "Pot-in-pot" technology area were made. Measurements of substrate temperature in containers throughout the day, biometric indicators of seedlings – plant height, root neck diame-ter, root length and density were analyzed. All the advantages and disadvantages of the "Pot-in-pot" system, dif-ferences from the classical cultivation are shown, and the influence of this method on the physiology and productivity of plants is determined.