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, often resulting in multiple, weak leaders prone to snapping in the wind.
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, as low branches are magnets for deer browse and climbing raccoons, and can be damaged by landscape equipment.
- Full-size (18ft-25ft+): 5 ft or 6 ft grow tube height
- Semi-dwarf (12ft-15ft): 5 ft or 6 ft grow tube height
- Dwarf (8ft-10ft): 2 ft to 4 ft grow tube height
Note: If planting on hillsides, a taller grow tube may be necessary to protect the up-slope side.
Installing The SunFlex Grow Tube System
Step 1 - Plant Seedling: Always follow your nursery supplier's guidelines on when, where, and how best to plant your new seedlings.
Step 2 - Prepare for Tubing: If your seedlings have lateral branches, remove them carefully using sharp pruning shears before installing the tube. Avoid cutting the terminal leader. Your seedling should have a single stem with only leaves or tiny branches left on the side.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT bend side branches to force them into the tube. This encourages weak branching as the tree matures.
Step 3 - Install Grow Tube and Support Stake:
A. Position stake 1.5 - 2 inches from the seedling with the ground-line marker down. Drive the stake until the marker reaches the soil surface.
B. Pop the grow tube open by flattening it. Slide the tube over the top of the stake and down to the ground, guiding both the seedling and the stake entirely inside the tube.
NOTE: Internal installation is recommended for SunFlex stakes only (rounded tops avoid abrasion).
Steps 3C-3E:
C. Position the tube so the flat side of the stake is snug against the tube wall between the paired tie holes.
D. Firmly tap the top of the tube to seat the base into the soil. Mound soil around the base to deter rodents.
E. Secure with the 3 included Twist Lock® Soft Wire Ties. Thread through the holes, around the stake, and twist firmly to prevent the tube from sliding or spinning.
Additional Considerations
A Word About Weed Control: Weeds steal light, water, and nutrients. Controlling weeds maximizes growth potential. Plantra Water Saver™ Weed Mats stop weeds and provide a safe alternative to chemicals.
Grow Tube After-Care: Do not remove green leaves forming on the stem inside the tube—they fuel early growth. Once seedlings reach the top of the tube, any protective covers are no longer needed.
To keep your trees protected, do not remove the SunFlex tube until the trunk has grown to the size of the tube diameter. This ensures the tree is "wind-firm" and protects against antler rub or mechanical injury. SunFlex tubes are perforated to split open safely if the tree outgrows them before you can remove them.
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