Barnett, James P.; McGilvrary, John M.  1997. Practical guidelines for producing longleaf pine seedlings in containers. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-14. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 28p.

Facilities

Structures

Structures for growing container seedlings in the South may vary from the simple to the complex (figs. 3A, 3B, 3C). Longleaf pines can be grown in the open without a structure or, at most, in semi-controlled greenhouses. Mot research shows that longleaf pine seedlings grown in full sunlight are superior to those grown in shaded structures (Barnett 1989).

Protective Covering

Some protection from hard rainfall is encouraged during germination because large raindrops can wash seeds and some of the medium from the container. It can also cause the newly emerging radicle to become disoriented, resulting in an abnormal crook. A 30-percent shade cloth over a simple framework will greatly reduce this hazard. Raindrops, even during a downpour, are reduced to a fine mist under the shade cloth. The shade cloth should be removed as soon as germination is complete. If crops are overwintered and greenhouse protection is unavailable, polyethylene or other protective coverings may be used to protect seedlings from strong desiccating winds and temperatures below 25 ^oF.

Watering Systems

An adequate water system is essential for growing container stock. The system should supply an even distribution of water and provide nutrients and fungicides as prescribed (Landis and others 1989). A simple, stake type with a sprinkler head is usually adequate (fig. 4).