Production in Root Control Bags

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

HarvestHarvest dormant plant material.

Small soil volume compared to B&B.

Reduced water holding capacity can’t support developing foliage in the spring.

Scrape off outside roots. Remove the bag prior to transplanting.

1” caliper16” ball

diameter

B&B ROOT CONTROL

BAG

1” caliper8”

diameter bag

Smaller soil volume

Harvesting Equipment

Smaller plants: shovel or spade.

Larger plants: loader tractor with sling 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"

The End