Kelly Tower – Greenhouse Horticulturist – Plum Creek
Timberlands, L.L.C.
The Economics of Containerized Seedling Production from Seed to Customer
Historical CPI Comparison
• On average what cost 45 cents in 1973 now costs $2.15 – almost a 5X increase.
• Seedling costs, by comparison, have increased less than 2X (or 100%)
A Brief History LessonThe First Container Crop – Aztecs circa 1300 A.D.
North American Container Symposium 1974Denver, Colorado. Over 300 participants took part. Over 80 presentations and panel discussions including one on “The
Economics of Container Forestation.”
Plum Creek Cottage Grove Facility - 1973
Plum Creek Cottage Grove Facility - 2009
Styroblocks
Styro 2 (211)Depth 4.5”
100 seedlings/ft21000 per box
Styro 5 (315A)Depth 6”
60 seedlings/ft2500 per box
Styro 8 (415A)Depth 6”
40 seedlings/ft2275 per box
Styro 15 (515A)Depth 6”
25 seedlings/ft2150 per box
Styro – 2 “When Size Does Matter”
Styro – 5 “The Economy Container”
Styro 8 “The Go To Field Plug”
Styro 15 “The Revolution”
Strengths and Weaknesses of PlugsThe Root System – unconditionally the #1 strength.
Off Species ProductionThujia, Abies, Sequoia, Libocedrus, Picea, Tsuga and some Pinus species.
Flexibility
• Lifting can be done in the summer or any time thereafter as a forester desires.
• Long term storage ability is enhanced for spring planting.
• Seedling handling is simplified. Plugs are less susceptible to low humidity during lifting and planting.
WeaknessSize – it does matter in many cases. Bareroot trees simply achieve heights and calipers that plugs cannot without going to extremely low density. Economics will be a major factor in that scenario.
Growing a Crop of Container Seedlings From Seed to Customer – A Virtual Tour
Setting the Foundation
• Sanitized containers and growing area.
• An understanding of media pH and the optimized levels that various species need.
• Sound seed information.
• Proper stratification.
• Germination %• Seed per pound.• Purity.• We come up with a seed/cavity from this
information and then a seed request.• Germination of 95% and qualifies for single
seed sowing on most species.• The emphasis with good quality genetic seed
is to use the minimum amount possible to save on labor and seed usage.
The Fine Line of Seed Calculations
Stratification Parameters
• Doug Fir – 45 days– For February sowing we need the seed in
December.
• Sugar Pine – 120 days– For end of March sowing we need seed in
December.
• Ponderosa Pine – 45 to 60 days– For April sowing we need the seed by mid January.
Managed Seed Production
The Sowing Process
Soil Mixing
Sowing the Seed
Cultural Environment
Packing and Shipping
• Average refer van will hold 34 pallets of 20 boxes for a total of 680 boxes.
• Styro 5 – 500 trees per box, 340K seedlings per truck.
• Styro 8 – 275 trees per box, 190K per truck.
• Styro 15 – 150 trees per box, 100K per truck
Shipping Costs
Saving Money vs. Getting It Done Right The First Time
• Stock Selection – affected by objectives.– Survival vs. Fast Greenup
– Species
– Planting Density
– Fall Planting (Plugs Only)
– Site Preparation
– Post Planting Prescriptions
The Pillars of Success
•Accurate Seed Information
•Good Crop Husbandry
•Site Preparation
•Sound Management
•Research and Development