Direct Seed Plant Shelters

BLUE-X^? Direct Seed Plant Shelters are available in 3 sizes: 2-1/2 inches in diameter by 11 inches, 18 inches or 24 inches in height.

Seed upgrading plus BLUE-X^? Direct Seed Plant Shelters and the complete BLUE-X^? growing method will result in predictable germination rates and survival of your plants. Direct seeding is economical, and results in superior plants. The seeds at planting can be precisely placed, so thinning is not necessary. Resources are not wasted on unsuccessful units.

It is now possible to commercially upgrade seeds, so that only those seeds with the greatest likelihood of germinating are planted. This can be done for a very reasonable cost. Seed upgrading can increase germination rates to 95%+ on most species, so that the seeds you plant with BLUE-X^? will have the best possible chance of successful growth.

Why choose the BLUE-X^? Direct Seed Plant Shelter solution?

BLUE-X^? has made direct seeding into the landscape more efficient with the introduction of a revolutionary new design for a plant shelter. The BLUE-X^? Direct Seed Plant Shelter consists of two plastic parts that can be quickly assembled and installed in the field. The stakeless design eliminates the need for carrying bulky and heavy stakes into the field, allowing the planter to carry more shelters instead.

Direct seeding in large scale or wildland plantings has often been thought to be impractical because of the high cost associated with each unit planted compared to the number of trees successfully grown. Germination rates could not be predicted. Growers were reluctant to invest in high-cost old style tree shelters for seeds that might not be successful. But without tree shelters, large numbers of seeds were lost to rodents.

Advantages of direct seeding of native plants:

Direct seeding into the landscape ensures that the taproot has an opportunity to grow and develop naturally unlike nursery grown seedlings. Usual nursery methods result in a terminated taproot which never regenerates, even when the seedling is planted in the ground.

Direct seeding of native plants and shrubs is essential for the development of a strong natural root system. A natural root system is far superior to those on bareroot or containerized seedlings. On species with taproots, survival of the tiny seedlings is dependent on the root system penetrating down to deep moisture levels. In our article on

Direct Seed Plant Shelters