Guidelines for Planting Containerized Seedlings

Containerized seedlings are ideal for planting on prepared clear-cut areas and less fertile sites where competing vegetation is limited. Success depends on proper seedling care, site preparation, and the use of correct planting techniques and tools.

Handling Frozen Seedlings

Frozen seedlings must be completely thawed before planting, ideally over about a week in shaded conditions to avoid heat stress. Remove boxes from pallets, spread them on the ground, and open perforated handles to improve ventilation and ensure even thawing.

Handling Thawed Seedlings

Once thawed, seedlings need light and air but should be protected from high temperatures and drying winds. Watering should be minimal—generally after 5–6 days—and overwatering avoided. Thawed seedlings should be planted within 14 days. In warm, wet weather, mold can form, so check the root plug moisture daily and drain excess water from boxes if necessary.

Planting Equipment and Site Selection

Pottiputki is a modern and complete plant carriage system for the professional planter. Seedling boxes can be carried directly on a Pottiputki hip belt using a cardboard box holder, avoiding unnecessary repacking. Choosing a good planting point is more important than strictly keeping uniform spacing; a minimum of 1 meter between plants is recommended. The root plug should penetrate through the inverted sod into mineral soil to ensure adequate water supply and reduce pest damage from insects such as the pine weevil. The distance from the planting spot to unprepared soil (humus layer) should be at least 20 cm and you should not tilt the plant when planting it. Place the plant vertically and deep so that the root plug is not visible.

Using the Pottiputki Planting Tube

The Pottiputki planting tubes are the most widely used manual planting tool worldwide due to its ergonomic design, ease of use, and efficiency.