100 Horticulture Today
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
and tied with twine. This serves to protect the roots during transport. When
a plant is harvested using the bare root (BR) method, all soil is removed
from the plant’s root system. The roots may be covered with a plastic bag
for shipping purposes. Pot-in-pot (PNP) is a method in which a plant is
grown in a pot and that pot is placed in another pot that has been sunk into
the ground. The system makes watering and moving the plant easier than
growing the plant in the ground, and eliminates the problem of the wind
knocking over plants in pots sitting on top of the ground.
The method of cultivation depends on what the landscape industry
demands and what the public wants. A landscaper may prefer B&B plants
because with this method plants or trees of large size can be planted on a
landscape site. Bare root plants are easy to ship through the mail to customers
across the country. The public may desire plants grown solely in containers
because of convenience and transportation issues. The nursery must meet the
objectives of all the customers it serves.
Nursery Growers
Nursery growers (often called nurserymen) work in outdoor settings that
may include some greenhouse or shade-bearing structures. A nursery grower
must understand how to propagate (grow plants from seeds or other methods,
such as rootings or cuttings), cultivate, and prepare plants for market.
A nursery grower usually manages a team of workers. The job is labor
intensive and requires a great deal of lifting and moving of plants. Accurate
recordkeeping is critical to a successful nursery. In addition to fi nancial
records, growers must keep track of planting, fertilizing, and watering
schedules. Growers must be able to reduce or solve problems caused by pests
or diseases using proper diagnosis and treatment options.
Randy Beaudry
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Dr. Randy Beaudry has worked at Michigan State
University assessing and improving the quality of harvested
fruits since 1989. He works with Michigan fruit growers
who cultivate tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, and
apples. Beaudry and his lab members work to develop
technology used to improve fruit quality and prolong shelf
life. Dr. Beaudry has also performed packaging studies and
developed mathematical models to predict performance of
packaged produce.
Professor Beaudry was given Michigan State University’s
service award for his incredible impact on the apple industry
in the state of Michigan. He works with growers to help
improve their apple crops and the postharvest technologies
associated with this American fruit favorite.
Career Connection Career Connection
Michigan State University Postharvest Professor