Transcript Lesson C1-3

Packaging
Nursery
Crops
Next Generation Science/Common
Core Standards Addressed!
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WHST.9‐12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to
answer a question (including a self generated question) or solve a problem;
narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources
on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under
investigation. (HS‐LS1‐3)
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WHST.11‐12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print
and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the
strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose,
and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the
flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and
following a standard format for citation. (HS‐LS1‐3)
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HSSIC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data. (HS‐LS2‐6)
Agriculture, Food, and Natural
Resource Standards Addressed
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PS.02.02. Apply knowledge of plant anatomy
and the functions of plant structures to
activities associated with plant systems.
–
PS.02.02.02.a. Identify and summarize the
components, the types and the functions of plant
roots.
Bell Work!
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Describe the three types of packaging of
nursery crops.
Describe how to ball and burlap (B&B) stock
properly.
Explain the advantage and disadvantages of
B&B, container, and bare root.
Describe the types of storage used for nursery
stock.
Terms
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Balled and burlapped
Bare root
Caliper
Cold storage
Common or air-cooled
storage
Containerized
Defoliation
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Gas Chambers
Mechanical beaters
Sweating
What are the three types of
packaging?
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Bare root: involves harvesting trees without
taking soil from the field.
Balled and burlapped: harvest plants with a
soil ball around the roots. Usually covered with
burlap.
Containerized: grown and then sold while in
containers. The containers may be made of
peat, clay, or plastic.
How do I B&B a plant?
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This procedure can be done at any time of the
growing season, but is most successful in the
spring or fall.
Remember most of the tree’s feeder roots are
in the top 12-15 inches of topsoil, and that up
to 60% of the feeder roots can extend beyond
the tree’s drip line.
B&B plants may lose up to 95% of feeder roots
during transplanting.
How do I B&B a plant?
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The materials needed for B&B are a spade, twine,
burlap, nursery pinning nails, a caliper, and a pair
of hand pruners or a knife.
B&B may also be done with a mechanical digger.
It is generally considered more efficient. It is also
an expensive piece of equipment, may be limited
in where and when it can dig, and may use special
baskets and burlap.
Directions for ball and burlapping
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Determine which plant is to be dug. Is it the
right time for this species?
Loosely wrap the plant branches with twine to
keep them out of the way while digging.
Determine the size of the ball. Ball should be
1/4 of the tree height or should be 12 inches
wider than the tree caliper.
Remove debris from the digging area.
Directions for ball and burlapping
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Mark the diameter of the ball with the spade.
Use a spade to dig a one foot deep circle
trench around the ball. Try to ensure that the
root system remains intact.
With the spade, begin tapering the ball and
digging under the plant.
Place a sheet of burlap in the hole and slide it
under the root ball.
Directions for ball and burlapping
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Secure the burlap with pinning nails and twine.
Remove the ball gently from the ground.
Transport the ball to a permanent location.
Advantages to B&B
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Can be dug and held for a period of time.
Digging and transplanting season can be
extended.
Better for difficult to transplant species.
Larger plants can be harvested.
Disadvantages to B&B
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May need specialized equipment.
Soil conditions can limit work.
Soil balls are heavy and large.
Product is hard to move.
Shipping is expensive.
More skilled labor is needed.
Long production cycle; 2-10 years
Advantages of Bare Root
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Harvested plants are
lightweight.
Shipping is more
economical.
Initially less expensive to
produce.
Can be dug in dormant
seasons.
Disadvantages of Bare Root
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Can only be used with smaller
stock.
Limited digging/transplanting
time.
Special storage facilities
needed.
Only successful with certain
plants.
Possible decay in storage.
Only used with deciduous
plants.
Advantages to Containers
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Rapid production cycle.
Faster turnover of invested
capital.
Plants are more uniform
Reduced shipping weight
No need for land rotation
Greater number of plants in
a smaller area.
Less handling damage.
Disadvantages to Containers
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Can only be used with smaller stock.
Soil dries out quickly.
Susceptible to cold/winter damage.
Plants can become pot bound.
Growing media must be provided.
Susceptible to blowing over.
More irrigation needed.
How is nursery stock stored?
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Common or air-cooled
storage:
These are insulated
under ground or frame
structures where air is
pulled through to cool
the plants, but the air is
not cooled mechanically.
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Cold/refrigerated
storage:
These are separate
buildings or large rooms
that are mechanically
kept at 27-29 degrees or
32-40 degrees F,
depending on the stored
materials.
Defoliation
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Defoliation: the mechanical, chemical or
cultural removal of leaves. It is done before
plants are put into storage because if the
leaves were to remain on the plant in cold
storage the plant would lose too much moisture
and would die. The techniques used in
defoliation include . . .
Techniques of defoliation
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Chemical Sprays: leaf removal occurs in a
short time after being sprayed and there is little
to no plant damage.
Mechanical beaters: a machine that beats the
leaves off the plant – leaf removal is very
quick, but there is more labor involved, more
handling of the stock, and greater chance of
plant damage.
Techniques of defoliation
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Gas chambers: special airtight chambers
that are filled with ethylene gas, which cause
quick leaf drop. This is common for rose
bushes.
Sweating: a process where plants are loosely
bundled, piled in stacks on pallets, and
thoroughly watered. Heat builds up causing
leaf defoliation. Can cause plant damage if
plants get over-heated.
Plant Storage Guidelines and
Information
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In the initial handling after plants have been
harvested, they are immediately graded and
sorted, and then either stored or
merchandised.
Before they are bundled, they are labeled and
graded by size.
When storing, plants are usually stacked on
wooden pallets in stalls with their roots to the
aisles.
Storage Problems
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Drying of roots: a relative humidity of 80-85
percent, and covering the roots with sphagnum
moss, cedar or fir shavings should prevent this.
Mold development: store only clean, disease
free stock and watch for mold development.
Also dust storage area with fungicide or use
ultraviolet lights to prevent.
Calipers
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Shaped like a pair of tweezers. They are
opened and placed so that each “arm” is
touching the trunk. A measurement of inches
is read off of the caliper.
Trees with more than a 4-inch trunk should be
measured 12 inches off the ground and trees
less than 4 inches should be measured 6
inches off the ground.
Summary
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List the three types of packaging of nursery
crops.
How does one ball and burlap (B&B) stock
properly?
Explain the advantage and disadvantages of
B&B, container, and bare root.
What are the types of storage used for nursery
stock?
The End!