Saplings and transplants of White spruce, Scots pine, Austrian pine, European larch, Eastern white pine and Douglas-fir were cultivated in the hard plastic block containers (Bosnaplast 18) and in Nisula role trough 11 terms (March 15September 01) in 15 days intervals.
Phenological research was also carried out during one vegetation (seed germination, swelling, opening and closing of terminal bud, the beginning and end of height growth). Measure of plant heights was made at the end of vegetation.
Duration of vegetation in this climate is about 181 days, while the growth period for observed saplings in terms was 182 to 18 days and transplants 118 to 43 days regarding to phenological monitoring. Despite the significant reduction of vegetation, plants achieved maximum heights in the most terms (sapling April 15 to July 01 and transplant April 01 to May 15). This shows that the application of different terms of sowing and transplanting can give significant reduction of plant cultivation even in field conditions. It refers to all observed species. So the most favourable environment conditions (to growth and plant development) in a later terms might be used practically to short duration of plant production and cultivation. The container production specially gives that opportunity.
Monitoring of phenophases has proven to be a very reliable indicator for the determination of the most favourable term of planting and transplanting. This is a basis for the determination of the optimum duration of plant cultivation in the nursery. Phenological observations are in this respect of great practical value in everyday nursery production.
Saplings exhibited higher variability than transplants regarding height and phenophases, in the same periods.
Key words: conifers, phenology, sowing, transplanting, containers.
Correspondence: Marijan Ocvirek, Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 41 420 Jastrebarsko, Croatia
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