Present day container nursery systems for the production of Eucalyptus Dill, are
reviewed and documented from the results of a comprehensive questionnaire distributed to
30 major Eucalyptus producing countries. The results of the survey showed that 41
Eucalyptus species were under production in 1990. Most of these species were grown in
containers that varied in diameter, depth, diameter to depth ratio, and volume. The
growing media, fertilizer types, fertilizer formulation, and the morphological standards
used for the production of Eucalyptus stock for outplanting varied considerably.
Two separate experiments were conducted with Eucalyptus globulus nursery
stock. 1) The media and feeding schedule study tested the merits of Sphagnum peat,
Vermiculite, and Perlite in various proportions as growing media under the exponential
and replacement feeding schedules. Seedling height (cm), root collar diameter (mm), top
dry weight (mg) and root dry weight (mg) were measured to study growth of the
seedlings. 2) The media and container coating study tested the merits of radiata pine bark.
Sphagnum peat, Vermiculite, and Perlite in various proportions as growing media in
coated and uncoated containers. It also evaluated the effects of container coating on root
growth potential and root form. In addition to the morphological attributes measured in the
media and feeding schedule study, root number, and root elongation were measured.
Both studies were subjected to Analyses of Variance to determine the significance
of differences in growth attributes. Both studies showed that seedling height and root
collar diameter are not appropriate morphological characteristics to determine or compare
the size and quality of finished Eucalyptus globulus stock. A response surface showed
that the highest seedling dry weight range lies between 60 to 67% Sphagnum peat, 33 to
40% Vermiculite and 0 to 3% Perlite in the experimental region. The highest predicted
seedling dry weight was found at 62% Sphagnum peat and 38% Vermiculite. In each
growing medium, seedlings grown under the exponential feeding schedule had a more
rapid seedling dry weight gain and higher Dickson's Seedling Quality Index than those
grown under the replacement feeding schedule. Eucalyptus globulus seedlings grown in
coated Ventblock containers filled with various proportions of radiata pine bark.
Sphagnum peat, Vermiculite, and Perlite were physiologically and morphologically
superior to their counter parts grown in uncoated containers
