Page 15 - Free State Summer 2022

Step 1: Secure the Root Ball at Harvest

Protect the integrity of the root ball

The very first step to a successful delivery takes place
in the field when a plant is first harvested. When that
root ball is placed into a wire basket in the field, tying
that basket firmly to the trunk of the tree must be done
meticulously well. We want to prevent it from flopping
around and weakening the root system or distorting the
shape of the root ball.

Step 2: Check Soil Moisture
Successful plants are fully hydrated at harvest time—and stay
hydrated during transport.

Soil moisture at the time of harvest is key to digging a
daily while awaiting pick up. In preparation for transport,
stable, well-formed root ball. Soil should be moist. Not wet.
it’s imperative during the warm season to apply an anti-
Not dry. During summer harvest or even dry conditions
desiccant to slow transpiration of water vapor for up to
when plants are dormant, we use a root probe to
several weeks.
individually irrigate plants about two days before digging
for just this reason. Step 3: Handle With Care
Moisture levels must be maintained prior to and during Keep handling of the plant to a minimum
transport. Plants in the loading area must be irrigated
Careful handling of plants is essential. Growers need to
(continued on next page)

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