The season of selling seedlings of fruit trees and shrubs is in full swing. However, not all planting material is of high quality. Most consumers are forced to buy seedlings in stores, at markets and fairs, as well as through online stores. But it is worth remembering that many sellers have nothing to do with nurseries and gardening. Therefore, there is a great threat of introducing various viral, bacterial and fungal diseases, as well as pests, into the garden through purchased trees, which are then difficult to get rid of. By buying from unverified sellers, you can get a seedling that was grown:
- without approval of mother plants and planting material;
- without laboratory tests for the presence of viral and virus-like pathogens and, if necessary, genetic determination of the suitability of the variety.
Depending on the variety, soil and climatic conditions, the fruit trees we select for our garden can bear fruit for 20-50 years. Therefore, when selecting trees, we should take into account the size of the land plot, the size of the buildings, the location of the trees on the plot, their purpose, etc.
If you have never done this, there is a high probability that you will purchase a diseased seedling or a plant of a completely different variety. Therefore, we think it would be appropriate to once again remind you of the tips for purchasing good quality fruit tree and berry seedlings, so as not to buy a pig in a poke that will grow into a monster.
When selecting varieties for your own garden, it is appropriate to use advice on zoning them in specific soil and climatic conditions, which are listed in the Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine.
It is, of course, better to purchase planting material directly from a producer who is included in the State Register of Seed and Nursery Entities and grows certified seedlings in accordance with the legislation.
The above-mentioned Registers can be found on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine in the section "Seed Production and Protection of Plant Variety Rights".
Specialists of the Department of Phytosanitary Safety of the Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in the Kharkiv region emphasize:
– seedlings must be zoned and frost-resistant varieties;
– a good-quality seedling has fresh roots, not dried out, not frozen, not shorter than 30 cm, and branched. The more branched the roots, the faster and better the seedling takes root and grows;
– brown, darkened color of the root on the cut indicates its freezing, drying or disease;
– if swellings or lumps are visible on the roots, the seedling is infected with root cancer and is not suitable for planting;
– the trunk should have healed wounds, healthy and smooth bark, without mechanical damage;
– A normal crown of a seedling is considered to be one that has 3-4 well-developed branches, evenly spaced in different directions, and a necessarily straight leading shoot.
A label is attached to each bundle of seedlings, which necessarily it is noted:
- product manufacturer;
- botanical taxon;
- variety name;
- year of production;
A label with a signature is tied to one of the outer plants of the bundle and pressed against the plants when tying the bundles.
It is also important to ask the seller about the availability of documents confirming its varietal and commercial qualities.
In accordance with Law of Ukraine "On Seeds and Planting Material"«, each batch of planting material for sale must be accompanied by Certificate certifying the varietal qualities of planting material and Certificate certifying the commercial qualities of planting material. These documents must be kept at the place of trade and provided upon first request. All officially issued and received Certificates can be checked on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture.
If you have additional questions about planting material or if you have doubts about the quality of the purchased seedlings, contact the specialists of the Department of Control in the Field of Seed and Nursery Production and Grain Quality of the Department of Phytosanitary Safety and Control in Plant Growing of the Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in Kharkiv Region: Kharkiv, Nauky Ave., 40, 6th floor, [email protected].
Department of Control in the Field of Seed Production, Nursery Production and Grain Quality, Department of Phytosanitary Safety and Control in Plant Growing, Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in Kharkiv Region