Sweating of Stock | Sweating of Stock | | Print | |
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A number of tree species such as hackberry, oak, and hawthorn exhibit deep bud dormancy and fail to break bud after planting or have delayed bud break. This problem can be overcome by sweating of the nursery stock. Inside a building, but out of direct sunlight, lay down a layer of plastic and spread with a layer of moisture retentive material such as sphagnum moss or shingletow. Put the seedlings to be sweated on the material and cover with additional moist sphagnum or shingletow. Cover over this with another layer of plastic and maintain temperatures of 50 to 70°F. In this warm, moist environment bud swell will begin to occur and stock can then be planted outside when similar conditions exist in the planting area. Do not sweat stock to bud break and then plant out in conditions of sub-freezing temperatures or extremely dry soil conditions. For sweating to be successful, proper conditions of temperature, humidity, and moisture must be present at the planting site. Other species such as ash and amur maple stored for long time periods also benefit from sweating prior to planting. |