The plug container aids in development of a plant’s deep, downward-trained root ball. We use the plug container type originally developed for the reclamation industry. These have been used for decades to this day. Plugs focus on good root establishment in an efficient format. The long, typically-narrow design allows the grower to emphasize root production in an easy to plant or transport container.
The Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata) pictured above sits next to a plug container. It was planted from a plug like this one the previous season. Because this native flower’s root system was healthy, developed, and trained in that plug the plant was able to establish just as well as if grown from a pot. After a full season of establishment in the ground (timeline my vary by species) the outplanted wildflower will be rooted enough to depend on nature for all their moisture and nutrients.
ALCLA Native Plants primarily uses Rootrainer plugs. Our typical trays have 80 or 160 cubic centimetre plug volumes. We prefer plugs because they encourage a deep, developed root system which help our plants set good roots once outplanted into the environmental conditions of your project.
Container Choice
The type of container you choose for a particular plant should help it thrive. Growing containers vary widely in size, shape, material, and drainage hole design. All these factors contribute to the resulting controlled environment for a plant. Choosing the right one for a particular application or plant is critical to the final project’s success. Plugs have a decades long history of use in the reclamation industry. This style of plug container comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and makes each of which is best suited for a particular project and plant type.
Environmental Impact
Another benefit of plugs is their typically lower volume size, without compromising root depth, as compared to conventional nursery or greenhouse pots. Plugs are preferred by many reclamation experts because of their relative ease to plant. They can also be economically shipped to your site. Plants can establish well with plugs because the container allows for a longer, downwards-trained root system.
A beneficial side effect of plugs is their lower volume of potting medium which can lessen their impact on natural resource consumption such as peat moss (peat). Many commercial potting media formulas are peat-based. Peat is mined from drained bogs on a regular basis to supply industry needs. It is debated whether or not peat bogs can be considered sustainable due to the length of time it takes them to regenerate.
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Photo credits: Dr. Al Fedkenheuer
