Method of accelerating the growth and development of trees via enhanced root development
The invention relates to a method of developing tree seedlings comprising germinating the seeds on a growing medium and air pruning the roots of the seedlings to a depth of about 3 inches.
1. A method of developing tree seedlings comprising
germinating seeds on a surface of growing medium to obtain the seedlings; and air pruning the seedling roots at a depth of 3 inches to achieve an improved root mass, wherein the growing medium comprises 35% composted rice hulls, 35% pine bark, 20% sand, 10% manure, and 35% air space.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of air pruning the roots comprises growing the seedlings in bottomless flats at a height of between about 30 inches and about 36 inches above the ground.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the growing medium further comprises micronutrients and a wetting agent.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the growing medium is inoculated with mycorrhizae spores.
5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising transplanting the seedlings after a first air pruning step into containers of about 3 9/16 inches by 3 9/16 inches by 4¼ inches for a second root air pruning step.
6. A method of improving the root structure of tree seedlings, the method comprising placing seeds on a surface of a growing medium comprising 35% composted rice hulls, 35% pine bark, 20% sand, 10% manure, and 35% air space; germinating the seeds on the growing medium to obtain the seedlings; and subjecting the seedlings to a first air root pruning by growing the seedlings in a bottomless container of about 3 inches deep, and a second air root pruning by growing the seedlings in a bottomless container of about 4¼ inches deep.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein subjecting the seedlings to an air root pruning comprises supporting the container at a height of between about 30 inches and 36 inches above the ground.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising stratifying the seeds on the growing medium at 32 degrees F.
9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising stratifying the seeds on the growing medium at 32 degrees F.
10. A method of developing tree seedlings comprising the steps of:
selecting seeds based on seed weight;
combining 35% composted rice hulls, 35% pine bark, 20% sand and 10% manure to obtain a growing medium having a 35% air space;
placing the growing medium in a first open-bottom container to a depth of 3 inches;
placing the seeds on the growing medium; stratifying the seeds on the growing medium at 32 degrees F;
germinating the stratified seeds on the growing medium to obtain the seedlings;
allowing roots of the seedlings to undergo a first air pruning at the 3-inch depth and at a height of between about 30 and 36 inches above the ground;
transplanting the air-pruned seedlings to a second open-bottom container to a depth of 4¼ inches; and
allowing the seedlings to undergo a second root air pruning at the 4¼-inch depth and at a height of between about 30 and 36 inches above the ground.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising inoculating the growing medium with mycorrhizal spores.