Page 10 - Free State Summer 2022

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS (Continued)

Also during the spring, we got to early pruning of the liners
we put in #1’s and potted up during January and February.
They are nicely branched plants now. In fact, I found time
to move up 100 each of Manhattan Green Euonymus,
Forsythia and, Wavy Leaf Privet into 3 gallons, as they
were almost rooted to the bottom of their containers
with the early start we gave them. Speaking of early
starts, the 1-gallon Manhattan Greens we moved up into
3 gallons in early February are being sold already as they
are rooted to the bottom of their containers. They are
nicely branched after two prunings. When those are gone,
those I moved up two weeks ago will be ready by Labor
Day. Has anyone else noticed how evergreen euonymus
roots seem to aggressively dig into the sides of a plastic
container? It’s a weird kind of ripping sound they make
when you pull them from the container.

I know the above sounds like extra work and expense.
Why not just put the liners directly into 3-gallon containers
right off the bat? I know many other nurseries do it that
way. It makes a ton of sense if you have a ton of space.
Space to protect moved up plants in January till the last
frost. We have the space for 1 gallons but not 3 gallons.
So that extra step works for us with fast growing plants
like those mentioned above. Another consideration on Deer door
the idea of installing enough poly house area to do it the
Bambi barrier

10 SUMMER 2022 • Free State News