Propagation of planting stock in the organic nursery

Propagation of planting stock in the organic nursery Choice of site (location and soil) 

Only relatively flat sites are suitable for nurseries. On sloping sites there is a risk of erosion because the soil has to be kept bare. In addition, locations where there is a risk of frost (winter frost and late frost) should not be used as nurseries, especially for the propagation of stone fruit and pears on quince rootstocks. Nurseries should preferably be set up on medium-heavy soils. Humus-rich, loamy sand soils or sandy loam soils are especially favourable. A soil index well above 50 is advisable for nurseries. 

The humus content should he between 1.5 and 4%, and the pH between 5.5 and 6.5. If the humus content is too low, it is advisable to enrich the soil with organic matter (see section on Organic fertilizers for soil conditioning in Chapter 4), and if the pH is too low the soil should be limed with dolomite lime or calcium carbonate (2000 kg/ha). 

DRILL MARKERS. These should not be considered unless the number of rootstocks is at least 10,000-15,000. They can be attached to a tractor and used to make furrows in the soil with a selected row spacing. The rootstocks are then put into the furrows, trodden in and earthed up. 

PLANTING TOOLS FOR ROOTSTOCKS AND GRAFTS. A One- to three-row planting tool is used a share makes a furrow, the rootstocks are put into the furrows by a single person, and the planting tool then firms them in and earths them up. 

---