Plantra® Greenhouse Grow Tube Guidelines: SunFlex® Grow Tubes with Stem Guides
Sunlight Note: SunFlex is a greenhouse designed for a wide range of sunlight conditions which receive a minimum of 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sunlight per day during the growing season. The image at right illustrates where to plant your seedlings if using a grow tube.
Avoid planting seedlings and using any grow tube, tree-tube, or tree-shelter in deep shade. Plants, especially small seedlings, need sunlight and plenty of it. Planting under established and shady tree canopies increases root competition for young seedlings that would grow better in a space of their own.
Choosing the Correct Grow Tube Height
Any discussion of grow tube height needs to factor in two things: deer browse and minimum desired branch height.
1. Protect against deer browse: White-tailed deer, with an average shoulder height of 36-40 inches, can easily browse any unprotected tree below 4½ ft tall. That is why SunFlex 5 ft Doe Shield Grow Tubes are the bare minimum, and 6 ft tall Buck Shield Grow Tubes are the preferred height for severe deer pressure.
Planting below 4½ ft in deer country often leads to failure; once deer munch the tree top emerging from a shorter tube, the tree's natural form is irreparably harmed.
2. Determine the minimum branching height: Taller grow tubes promote straighter stems and branch-free trunks below the tube height. This is vital for both wildland and urban plantings.
Installing Your SunFlex Grow Tubes
Step 1 - Plant Seedling: Follow nursery supplier guidelines on planting depth and location.
Step 2 - Prepare for Tubing: Carefully remove lateral branches using sharp pruning shears before installing the tube. Avoid cutting the terminal leader.
Step 3 - Install Grow Tube and Stake:
A. Position your support stake (sold separately) 1.5 - 2 inches from the seedling. Drive the stake until secure.
B. Pop the grow tube open and slide it over the top of the stake and seedling. If using SunFlex Trunk Builder stakes, they are designed to be installed entirely inside the tube.
C. Secure with the 3 included Twist Lock® Soft Wire Ties. Thread through the holes, around the stake, and twist firmly.
Step 4 - Bird Protection: No action required! Your SunFlex Stem Guide tubes feature integrated bird exclusion guides. Do not install net caps as the Stem Guides already provide superior bird protection and stem abrasion resistance.
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