Choosing the Right Container System for Forest Seedlings

Successful forest seedling production depends heavily on selecting the right container system. Container design influences root structure, plant stability, growth rate, and transplant success. Across Northern and Central Europe, three main families of containers—Hiko, AirBlock, and Plantek—are widely used, each offering tailored benefits for different nursery setups and planting conditions, all developed and produced by BCC.

Hiko Containers

BCC offers a range of HIKO plastic growing containers designed for various types of seedlings. The containers are all made from hard, 100% recyclable plastic. This material offers benefits such as increased hygiene in the nursery, a long lifespan, and less need for storage space since the containers can be nested. The Hiko series is a well-established growing system developed for coniferous species and broadleaved species. The SideSlit models have a slit design that provides optimal root development with minimal deformation. The Solid models have root-guiding ribs that create active root tips and an ideal root structure. The Hiko containers compact footprint and efficient design make them especially suitable for species like spruce, pine, and broadleaves, particularly when both biological performance and cost-efficiency are priorities.

AirBlock Containers

The AirBlock series is designed for high planting densities and automation-friendly operations. The Airblock containers are optimal for production of coniferous species. With smaller cell volumes and a square cell layout, these containers are ideal for nurseries aiming for intensive production and space efficiency. They have a standard 385mm tray format and support strong vertical root growth, which is useful for producing uniform seedlings in controlled nursery environments.