Bare root plants are perennial plants that are dug up and stored while they are dormant, or in the resting phase of their life cycle, when they are still alive but not growing. They’re stored without soil, therefore, leaving the roots exposed or bare. There are clear benefits to storing shrubs and trees in this way that make bare root items a great choice when buying woody plants.
Bare root plants are a popular choice for gardeners because they are affordable, easy to handle, and have a good chance of survival when planted properly. However, before planting bare root plants, it is crucial to store them correctly to ensure they remain healthy and vigorous. This article will provide tips on choosing the right storage location, preparing the storage area, monitoring the conditions, and signs of poor storage. Following the proper storage guidelines will give your bare root plants the best opportunity to thrive when transplanted.
Why Bare Root Plants Need Storage Before Planting
Bare root plants are sold during dormancy when they have shed leaves and entered a period of rest. At this stage, they are resilient to disturbance, making them ideal for transplanting. However, they still need proper storage to maintain health and improve chances of survival.
Here are the key reasons bare root plants need storage
-
Protect delicate roots: When bare root plants are harvested, their roots are exposed. Proper storage protects the roots from drying out and potential damage.
-
Allow acclimatization: Storage gives plants time to gradually adapt to new conditions before transplanting, reducing transplant shock.
-
Provide timing flexibility: Storage enables holding plants until weather or planting preparations are favorable.
Choosing the Ideal Storage Location
Selecting the right storage location is vital for bare root plant health. Consider these factors:
-
Temperature Ideally 32-40°F (0-4°C) to keep plants dormant and prevent freezing or excessively warm conditions
-
Humidity: High humidity prevents root drying. Place plants in plastic bags or wrap roots in damp material.
-
Air circulation: Adequate airflow prevents moisture buildup and mold/rot growth. Some ventilation is ideal.
-
Light: Darkness keeps plants dormant and avoids using up energy reserves. Avoid direct sunlight or bright lights.
-
Pest protection: Choose an area free of rodents, insects, or other pests that could damage plants.
The ideal storage location will have cool, stable temperatures, high humidity, circulation, darkness, and pest protection to keep bare root plants healthy.
Preparing the Storage Area
Follow these steps when preparing the storage area:
-
Clean and disinfect to remove dirt, dust, or contaminants.
-
Organize space and label plants for easy identification later.
-
Prepare damp newspaper, burlap, or moss to retain moisture around roots.
-
Allow airflow to prevent moisture accumulation and mold growth.
-
Monitor temperature and humidity to maintain optimal dormancy conditions.
-
Deter pests like insects and rodents that could damage plants.
Proper preparation establishes conditions for bare root plants to stay dormant and protected until planting.
Storing Bare Root Plants Step-by-Step
Follow this process for storing bare root plants:
-
Inspect plants and trim any damaged roots or debris.
-
Wrap roots in damp newspaper, burlap, or moss to retain moisture.
-
Arrange plants separately and label for identification.
-
Select storage area with ideal temperature, humidity, airflow, darkness, and pest protection.
-
Carefully place wrapped plants in storage space securely.
-
Regularly monitor temperature and humidity with thermometer and hygrometer.
-
Periodically inspect plants and remove any with damage, mold, or disease.
-
Adjust storage conditions like temperature and airflow as needed.
-
When ready to plant, unwrap roots, rehydrate in water, and follow planting best practices.
Proper step-by-step storage maintains dormancy and health for successful bare root plant transplantation.
Monitoring Storage Conditions
Consistently monitoring storage conditions is vital for bare root plant dormancy and viability. Monitor:
-
Temperature: Use thermometer and ensure 32-40°F (0-4°C). Fluctuations disrupt dormancy.
-
Humidity: Check with hygrometer. Increase humidity by misting if it drops too low.
-
Air circulation: Ensure adequate airflow to prevent mold or mildew.
-
Light: Storage area should remain dark to sustain dormancy. Limit light exposure.
-
Pests: Regularly inspect for rodents, insects, or other pests. Take immediate action if found.
-
Moisture: Check root moisture levels frequently. Keep damp but not waterlogged.
By monitoring key storage factors, bare root plants can remain healthy until planting.
Signs of Poor Storage
Be aware of these signs of inadequate storage conditions:
-
Dry, shriveled, discolored roots indicate insufficient moisture.
-
Mold or fungal growth on roots or leaves signifies excessive moisture.
-
Wilting, yellowing foliage means unsatisfactory temperature, humidity, or airflow.
-
Mushy, slimy, foul-smelling roots point to root rot from excess moisture.
-
Pest damage like chew marks, holes in leaves, or droppings means infestation.
-
Unusual spots, lesions, or discoloration on plant parts can indicate disease.
Promptly address any of these issues through improving humidity, temperature, circulation, or treating pests and diseases.
Tips for Successful Storage
Follow these tips for optimal bare root plant storage:
-
Select high-quality, healthy plants from reputable sources.
-
Handle plants gently by crown or stem to prevent root damage.
-
Clearly label each plant for easy identification.
-
Keep roots consistently moist but not soggy.
-
Choose storage location with ideal conditions for dormancy.
-
Regularly monitor temperature, humidity, health, and address issues early.
-
Provide adequate spacing between plants for air circulation.
-
Avoid unnecessary handling or disturbance in storage.
-
Carefully prepare plants for transplanting just before planting.
Proper care and attention during storage gives bare root plants the greatest chance of thriving when planted.
Storing bare root plants correctly before planting is vital to ensure healthy, vigorous growth. Ideal storage protects delicate roots, enables adjustment to the environment, and provides timing flexibility for transplantation success. Monitoring conditions, promptly addressing any problems, and following best practices allows plants to remain dormant and viable until planting time. With the proper storage location, preparation, and care, bare root plants can transition successfully from storage to the ground.
How to Plant Bare Root Plants
If you want to plant bare root plants, make sure you put them somewhere with the right soil and amount of light for them. Most bare root trees are tip pruned prior to shipping. If the tree you get hasn’t been pruned, it’s a good idea to cut off ⅓ of all the branches from the tips back. This way, the plant’s smaller root system will be able to get enough water and food to the remaining buds that open. As soon as all the buds open and grow, the tree may fail because it won’t be able to give all of them enough water. The tree quickly dies. You can do this quickly prior to planting or right after you plant.
Dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the roots system. There should be enough space for all the roots within the planting hole. Roots should not have to be severely bent or twisted to accommodate them. If the roots are too long, they can be trimmed so they are laid out straight. Examine the roots and remove any that are broken or appear damaged. Roots heal faster when removed with a clean, straight cut.
Place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was in the nursery, or about one inch deeper than the roots. An easy way to distinguish where the nursery had it planted is to look at the color on the stem or trunk. The portion of the tree that was underground will be darker in color than the part that was above ground. Raspberries and birch need to be planted very shallow to ensure good growth and survival. If planted too deep, they will suffocate.
Before you use the naturally dug soil, get it ready by adding a lot of peat moss or compost to it. When you plant plants, a 50/50 mix of the amendment and natural soil will help them grow well. Once the hole is ready and the roots have been soaked, you are ready to plant. Sprinkle MYKE Tree on the roots of the wet plants. In the hole, put the plant roots at the right depth. Then, fill the hole halfway with the amended soil mix and wrap it around the roots. Water the soil to settle it and remove any air pockets. Place the rest of the soil in the hole back to the natural soil grade. It is best to leave a well or indentation of 1 to 2 inches around the plant to save water for rain. Two or three more times after planting, give the plant water and let it soak in well between each time.
You can also add Root & Grow Plant Starter to the water used to water in the new plant. It is a mild starting fertilizer product plus a natural plant hormone that stimulates root growth and reduces root shock.
It will be important to create a mulched area around the tree after planting to ensure the soil in the root zone retains moisture between waterings and helps suppress weeds. Another consideration to make is how to protect young trees from sunscald, and mechanical damage from mowing or lawn equipment. The bark of immature plants is easily damaged and susceptible to drying from intense sun exposure. Plastic Spiral Tree Guards around the trunk will help to prevent sunscald, mechanical injury, and winter bark cracking. The guard can remain on the trunk until corky, mature bark starts to replace the juvenile bark. These plastic spirals will expand with the plant, as it grows.
Storing Your Bare Root Plant
Before you plant your plants, make sure to keep them somewhere cool and dry. If they are exposed to too much heat and humidity, they can start to wake up, become stressed, and suffer.
How to store #bareroot trees and plants till planting time
FAQ
How long can you store bare-root plants before planting?
What to do with bare-root plants before planting?
How long can I keep bare-root hedging before planting?
How long can you keep plants before planting?
Can bare root plants be stored in the refrigerator?
Yes, you can store bare root plants in the refrigerator before planting, as long as you take care to keep them moist and prevent them from freezing. The refrigerator can provide a cool, dark environment that is suitable for storing bare root plants until you are ready to plant them.
How do you store bare roots?
The problem with storing bare roots is moisture. Water can help the plants to get some moisture, as long as you give the right amount. You should keep the roots moist and not soggy. Before you store the plant, you should hydrate the roots. Remove the packaging, then soak the roots in a bucket of lukewarm water for 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
Why do bare root plants need to be stored?
One of the main reasons bare root plants need to be stored is to protect their delicate root systems. When these plants are dug up from the ground or harvested from a nursery, their roots are exposed. Storing them in the correct conditions helps protect the roots from drying out, preventing desiccation and potential damage.
Can bare root plants be moved?
Dormant plants can be moved to the garden as soon as the soil is workable. If this is not possible store bare root plants in a refrigerator or other cold but frost free location. If the plants started growing you will need to pot them up and grow them indoors until the danger of frost has passed.
How do you store cactus roots?
You can also place them in the refrigerator or other frost-free and shaded storage. Other options to keep the plants are heeling them in, covering the roots with damp paper, or adding hydrogel slurry. Also, moisture in the roots is critical when storing the plant. Protecting the roots is vital so that you won’t worry if you delay planting.
Can bare root plants be protected?
UGA Extension experts say you can protect bare root plants by cold storing or temporarily planting them. On a stormy day in September 2009, a crew of Central Fulton Master Gardeners were nearly knee-deep in mud, installing landscaping on their first house for a partnership with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.