Production of Drought-adapted Intermountain Native Plants Through Low-cost, In-containers for Emerging Western Markets

View the project final report

• 2002 annual report
• 2003 annual report
• 2004 annual report

Commodities

• Additional Plants: native plants, ornamentals

Practices

• Crop Production: forestry
• Production Systems: holistic management

Results from this project show that pot-in-pot (PIP) nursery production moderates root zone temperatures of Intermountain West (IMW) native trees, shrubs, and perennials and can accelerate growth of these plants and protect against winter damage. A nursery specializing in production of IMW native plants can use the PIP system to be economically viable by improving plant growth and production. Sustainable short-term, intermediate, and long-term cash flow can be achieved by IMW nurseries with a species mix of native perennial wildflowers, shrubs, and trees by using pot-in-pot production.

The overall goal of this study was to develop a model system with economic analysis using alternative in-ground container nursery production systems for drought-adapted native woody and herbaceous perennial species in the rural IMW to encourage adoption by small entrepreneurs. The specific objectives of the project are:
--Compare growth of above-ground container versus PIP production of IMW native perennial wildflowers.
--Conduct a controlled study and cost analysis comparing production time using expensive, high-end artificial media versus local materials (shredded bark, compost, field soil) for native wildflowers and shrubs;
--Apply a scaled-up PIP system to a wholesale nursery that grows IMW native plants, using local materials for artificial media;
--Conduct a cost analyses based on the results of Objective #2.