PPO > Sudden Oak Death Research and Education Program > Sudden Oak Death > For those who work with Native Plants > Best Management Practices for Native Plant Nurseries > BMP for Native Plant Nurseries: Pots

BMP for Native Plant Nurseries: Pots

trays of light green square plant pots with mulch in them are on a wooden pallet to keep them off the soil
Pots should not be in contact with the soil, as diseases can both leave and enter through drainage holes. Insulate pots from the soil surface using one or all of these methods: Gravel, Weed cloth, Pallet, Tray
round plant pots full of dead plants, mosses, and fallen leaves. the pots are on the ground sitting in puddles with fallen leaves floating on the top.
Fallen leaves and standing water + inoculum = Phytophthora infection
stacks of round black pots stored upside down. all pots are very dirty
Do not use dirty pots, they may contain inoculum.
racks of yellow conical tubes for storing baby plants. most of the racks are stacked five high on a wooden table. There is a blue tarp covering them.
If you re-use pots, be sure to clean residual soil and sanitize, using a dilute disinfectant solution, hot water, or steam.

WSU Puyallup Research & Extension Center
2606 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA, 98371-4998 USA
Last updated 9/24/2025