Trentcom APS Pty. Ltd 95C Beaumont Rd Berwick Vic 3806 Australia

P +61 3 9796 1422 | F +61 3 9707 1679M +61 4 19 323 050 | peter@trentcom.com.au

Tree Root Colonisation Trials Y2010

Rocket®Pot 1

If you have tree root problems…

We have solutions

Eucalypt dies unexpectedly after 7 years in the park

2

Specify Direct sown tree seedlings with unpruned radicles (tap roots) 180 mm or more deep in cylindrical pots with air root-pruning floor and walls (3D air root pruning) or equivalent

We can (must?) act decisively to stop these

disheartening quality problems that degrade us all

120 degree kink

Planted too deepRoots growing up not down

The following unfunded preliminary research work proves that this specification works. Please consider using the specification Your comment or help is welcome - peter@trentcom.com.au

Rocket® Rack A Portable Nursery System

3

Excellent resale value

Seventh annual trial – Y2010Day 90 from seeding

Trentcom APS Pty. Ltd 95C Beaumont Rd Berwick Vic 3806 Australia

P +61 3 9796 1422 | F +61 3 9707 1679M +61 4 19 323 050 | peter@trentcom.com.au

Tree Root Colonisation Trials Y2010

Rocket®Pot 4

Overview of the 90 day trial

• 2000 1.5 litre RocketCells and qty 500 8 litre RocketPots were sown with multiple seeds on Dec 22 2009 • The pots were arranged in two rows of ten RocketRacks so that they can be immersed in water for 10 days to bog germinate.• The stale tank water is sanitised before use with a two part chlorine dioxide treatment. The bog water is treated with hydrogen peroxide and traces of peroxyacetic acid to protect against pathogens The oxygen rich environment appears to enhance germination.• The seedlings are watered by hand during the bog and until their radicles are established well enough for flood and drain watering.• The hotter the weather the faster the roots grow in this “root incubator”• During the trials we measured:

• Pot weight to determine when to water and water consumption• Water salinity, diluting feed water if conductivity ever exceeds 1.3 Ms• Germination success –re-sowing after 4 to 8 weeks depending on species

2. Simple direct sowing works well

Filling Sowing

Covering Watering

5

200 x 1.5 litre RocketCells 97% success

Skewers mark late seedlings

Day 22

50 x 8 litre - 100% germination

6

Air jet exposure made 22 days from seeding

Eucalypts grow very quickly in this root incubator. Radicles extend 1cm per day to air root-prune at 18 cm.

Magnified laterals Stem height 50 mm 5 sown – cull 4

7

Day 22

Day 28 Corymbia citriodora Same seed, sowing date, water and nutrients

RocketCell 150 mm pot Forestry tube Cell Tray

C = 1.2C = 0.5

C = 1.0C = 1.0

8

Day 40 from seedCorymbia maculata

8 litreRocketPots

1.5 litre RocketCells

9

8 litre RocketPotsTypical Calliper 3mm

Day 50 – Corymbia maculata -

1.5 litre RocketCellsTypical Calliper 2 mm

10

Sown same day in same mix

3 mm caliper

Day 67

4 mm caliper

11

We recommend to sow direct to the pot size you will sell

Day 77

Corymbia maculata have fully colonised the RocketCells and are near to colonising the 8 litre RocketPots 12

The Y2010 trial proves again that it is possible to grow landscape trees

• In the open on hot windy sites (Portable)

• Ready to plant out in three months (Less stock)

• With very low water use (Extremely water- wise system)

• With low investment (Low cost nursery sites)

• Trees produced have root power (Now being tested -

below)

13

A successful outcome

14

• •

•Procedure notes• Sow several seeds direct and cull the least viable seedlings Air root-prune the radicle at 180 mm for better calliper, uniform root array and better inter-node spacing•Propagate to achieve a calliper of at least 1% of height. Strive for more calliper – not height . Reduce nutrients as necessary

Corymbia maculataCalliper 6.8 Height 630

Age 91 days

Rocket®Rack flood & drain tray to mass produce quality roots

Overflow to sump

One RocketRack holds

200 1.5 litre Rocket Cells or

50 8 litre RocketPots

Racks are fitted with a mezzanine floor for drainage and aeration

Warm water can circulate under the crop during frosts

15

Flood and Drain Rack Model F250Holds 100 RocketCells

Easy to move no matter how you approach it 16

Sump

Holding tank

Gravel pad or Concrete slab

Water storage ideas that work

A 2000- litre sump receives any overflow from the racks when they are full.

No water touches the soil.

Rain collects in the sump.

A submersible pump in the sump raises the water to a 20,000+ litre holding tank for storage and sanitation

17

How much space is needed?How many crops a year?How many culls from direct sown crops

• As an example, a tennis court will hold 80 of the F500 RocketRacks and two 45,000 litre water tanks This is enough to sow 16,000 1.5 l or 4000 8 l pots

• If the trees are grown under contract and can be delivered on time it should be possible to grow more than two crops a year

• Culling depends on species and many other factors. Provide for a significant quantity of culls to maintain excellent quality . We expect to sell 75% of seedlings sown outdoors

FAQ’s