| Another primary function of the R&D Department includes the establishment of a formal Stock Block Program. Stock blocks are field blocks of trees or shrubs used only as a source of propagation material. Wood (scionwood, budwood, or cuttings) is collected from selected stock trees in order to clone them, while seed is collected from selected “seed stock” trees in order to sexually propagate them. |
- As a formal program, the stock block program was initiated about six years ago for the purpose of ensuring that propagation sources would be readily available for most of our production needs.
- Presently, over 350 species of plants exist in field blocks designated specifically for stock. Collectively, these stock blocks encompass approximately twenty acres of nursery ground.
- All stock plants are consolidated into blocks, according either to their respective propagation function or their growth habits. For example, such blocks include:
| |  |
- A shrub stock block for cuttings, or budwood.
- A tree stock block for budwood and/or scionwood.
- A Malus stock block.
- A Magnolia stock block.
- A seed stock block. These plants are planted on wider spacing and allowed to grow to mature height.
- A miscellaneous Heritage Stock Block. This block consists of plants no longer in production.
- Once a year, either in late winter or early spring, all stock plants used for clonal propagation are subjected to a severe trimming in order to promote the growth of tender juvenile shoots. Such growth is optimum for the practice of propagation.
- Periodic inspections are performed within the ‘stock’ areas in order to maintain varietal integrity, as well as to monitor overall plant health.
- Continually ensuring that all varieties are correctly identified by an ID stake serves as another key component in the eternal quest to monitor stock purity.
- In order to guarantee that a young viable stock source remains available, stock blocks are to be rejuvenated (planted anew) on a seven year rotation schedule.
|
| Back to top of page |
