Abstract

Cupric hydroxide formulated as Spin Out™ (7% Cu(OH)₂ in a latex carrier, w/w) was used to prevent rooting-out of Taxus × media Rehd. ‘Densiformis’ root balls into surrounding mulch or soil during storage over a four-month period. Treatments included: painting the bottom of the root ball with Spin Out™, setting the root ball on Spin Out™-treated burlap or on untreated burlap, and rewrapping the root ball with Spin Out™-treated burlap or burlapping using Spin Out™-treated burlap before mulching. All treatments provided some control of rooting-out after 12 to 16 weeks storage. The most effective treatments were 1) in unmulched situations, setting the root ball on Spin Out™-treated burlap (92% reduction in root count after 16 weeks), and 2) in mulched situations, either rewrapping or burlapping with Spin Out™-treated burlap (90% and 86% reduction in root count, respectively, after 16 weeks). Using Spin Out™-treated burlap to prevent rooting-out during storage can reduce the incidence of re-balling and root removal prior to shipping and planting stored B&B nursery stock.