Topic 3 Element 2 Flashcards
What is a tree size - Unfeathered maiden (whip)
A young tree with a single unbranched trunk, typically sold for planting or further cultivation. Lower priced and easy to transport,
Describe the tree size - Feathered maiden
A young tree with a single unbranched trunk and some extending smaller branches, typically sold for planting or further cultivation. Maiden fruit trees can be 1-2m tall
Describe the tree size - Standard
Standard trees shall have clear, substantially straight stems. Grafted and budded trees shall have no more than a slight bend at the union. The head shall be developed for its type and evenly balanced, with no main branch crossing the crown. Standards shall have a central leader or a branch head according to species or cultivar.
Size depends on type of Standard.
Describe the tree size - Heavy Standard
Same as a Standard but girth of 12 - 14 cms
What is meant by Bare root
A plant whose root system has been grown in the ground which does not require soil to be attached when transplanting. This is limiting in that you can only buy bare-root plants in winter (Nov-March) when the plants are dormant and when planting conditions may not be ideal, however it is the cheapest way to buy a wide range of trees, shrubs and some herbaceous plants.
What is meant by Rootball
A plant whose root system has been grown in the ground requires soil to be firmly attached and supported with a suitable porous material such as hessian when it is transplanted. Also called ball-and-burlap (a US term). This is generally the method of buying large evergreens and conifers which transplant best in early spring or autumn and need aftercare (protection from drying winds) and watering
What is meant by Undercut
The severing of main roots of seedlings/cuttings in their seed or cutting bed at a suitable depth below the soil surface, thereby encouraging a fibrous root system without transplanting. Undercutting should be timed to allow root growth to take place prior to supply.
What is meant by Air pots
The ‘pot’ is a sleeve of recycled and recyclable HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) that is textured like an egg carton, with small holes at the tip of each cone. As the root tips grow outward towards the cones, the roots’ growth is channelled towards the holes, where the tips dehydrate upon exposure to the air.
What is meant by Containerised
Plants in containers that have not been in the container long enough to have made substantial new root growth.
What is meant by Container grown
Plants that have been grown in any type of container (e.g. pot, plastic bag, peat block) for sufficient time for root growth to have substantially filled the container, but they are not root bound.
What are examples of the sustainability issues involved in plant production? Transport emissions
Transporting plants unnecessarily creates more emissions and increases likelihood of congestion. Best to use locally sourced.
What are examples of the sustainability issues involved in plant production?
What are examples of the sustainability issues involved in plant production? Single use plastic
Cannot be recycled
What are examples of the sustainability issues involved in plant production? How does this relate to the use of Peat-free growing media
Reduces the reduction is peat bogs which are a highly efficient method of trapping carbon gases.
What are examples of the sustainability issues involved in plant production? Water foot print
Over or inefficient use of water to maintain crops. Can be addressed by recycling or using rain water.
What are examples of the sustainability issues involved in plant production? Ethical treatment of people
Buying plants from within the UK also means that the nursery will be compliant with current ethical standards not only for its carbon footprint but also for the treatment of its workers (e.g. the Modern Slavery Act). Plant material sourced from some parts of the world (e.g. China) may not be produced in accordance with UK environmental or ethical expectations.
What other factors can influence the choice of a supplier? Biosecurity:
Best to use a reputable supplier who maintains passports and the highest standards to help reduce the likelihood of pests and diseases.
What other factors can influence the choice of a supplier?
Lead times
Ensuring that sufficient supplies are available and if more are required that lead times are unlikely to cause a problem.
What other factors can influence the choice of a supplier?
Place of production
If the UK, to keep transport costs down. If overseas to ensure that arrangements for the import of products are unlikely to be onerous.
What other factors can influence the choice of a supplier?
Order quantity
Ensure that minimum quantity are not going to be an issue.
