Nursery Trials on Peat Bog Surface in a Plastic Greenhouse

REPORT NX 56:Production of planting stock by standard nursery practices in Newfoundland particularly in the southeastern part, is handicapped by the occurrence of years in which weather conditions seriously affect production. In an effort to discover a system which would remove complete dependence on local weather, seedbeds and transplant bed were established on the surface of a cultivated sphagnum peatbog in a plastic greenhouse. This trial was located on the bog surface with a view to the possible eventual development of field methods suited to large commercial peatbog nurseries. Satisfactory results, principally with spruce, Picea spp., were obtained on approximately one-half of the combined area of all beds. Winter damage in beds completely exposed to the weather was minimal despite relatively snow-free winters. Reasons for failures appear to be obvious and of the kind which should yield to simple modification of technique.