California pistachio establishment Photos by Plantra team
At Plantra we always say that our customers are our heroes.
The late Ron Radoicich of Madera, CA was one of the true heroes of Plantra, a person who taught and gave us more than we ever could give in return. When Ron left us much, much too young we lost not only a customer, but a friend, and a hero.
A small part of Ron’s legacy of innovation was the use of Plantra Grow Tubes on tissue culture pistachio rootstocks. Frustrated with the root deformation often caused by planting larger stock (and which doesn’t manifest itself until the trees are several year old and it’s too late to fix them), Ron pioneered the method of planting tissue culture rootstocks directly in the field so that the root systems develop on site without further disturbance.
In the photo a tissue culture pistachio rootstock – planted as a tiny 2 to 4 inch potted plant – is starting to grow in its Plantra Grow Tube.
A perfect marriage of innovative technologies: Without grow tubes planting tiny tissue culture trees into the 110 degree heat & wind of the northern San Joaquin Valley would not be feasible.
In one field Ron planted 20,000 trees. We asked how many re-plants he had to do. His answer: Six. Not 600, not 60. Just plain 6.
Just 10 to 12 weeks after planting the trees – just 2 to 4 inches at planting – have long since emerged from the 2ft Plantra Grow Tubes. The consistency of growth is astounding… even to us!
Another shot of a new field, just 10 to 12 weeks after planting. Amazing growth, amazing consistency – a tribute not just to Plantra Grow Tubes but to Ron’s farming practices and attention to detail.
Ron Radoicich explains to Plantra’s Steve Tillmann how he trains the emerging root stocks to a wooden “tomato stake” until they are ready for field grafting.
Ron Radoich shows Steve Tillmann where these pistachio rootstocks will be field grafted. In the background Chris Siems searches in vain for a single failed tree!
Since Plantra Grow Tubes accelerate the growth of stem thickness as well as height, field budding can be done much sooner. Because Plantra Grow Tubes result in very consistent growth, field budding can be done in fewer passes through the field, since all of the trees are ready to graft at the same time.
Near perfect survival. Rapid growth. Amazing consistency. Thick stems. Root systems developed on site without disturbance.
Ron Radoicich left the entire horticulture industry an amazing legacy of innovation. We at Plantra are proud to have played a small role in making his vision possible, and we miss Ron’s passion, knowledge and friendship.
