Hardening Fertilization and Nutrient Loading of Conifer Seedlings

Continuing to fertilize bareroot and container seedlings during the hardening process (from cessation of height growth until lifting) can improve seedling viability. The process of fertilizing during hardening has many names, but in the last decade a new term, nutrient loading, has come into use. The process of nutrient loading seedlings leads to luxury consumption indicated by foliar nitrogen (N) concentrations > 2.5%. Increasing foliar nutrient concentrations during hardening can result in increased cold hardiness, seedlings with thicker stems, heavier root systems, better root-toshoot ratios, higher foliar N concentrations and contents, and the potential for better survival and growth on the outplanting site.