Regulations for the Production and Distribution of Nursery Stock (250-RICR-40-10-1)

The following regulations are promulgated establishing standards to maintain the health and vigor of nursery stock offered, or to be offered, for sale when stored and displayed at retail outlets.

A.Balled and burlapped nursery stock shall be maintained by surrounding and covering the earth ball with sawdust, peat, vermiculite, shingle tow or other material not toxic to plants. Such moisture-holding material shall be kept moist at all times.

B.Container-grown nursery stock shall be watered sufficiently to maintain the viability and vigor of such stock and shall be kept under temperature and light-intensity conditions that will permit normal growth.

C.Bare-root nursery stock shall be kept under conditions of temperature and moisture to retard growth and maintain viability. Moisture must be supplied to the root system by high-humidity conditions in storage or by covering the roots with soil or other moisture-holding material not toxic to plants; such moisture-holding material is to be kept moist at all times.

D.Prepackaged nursery stock with roots packaged in moisture-retaining plastic, peat, shingle tow or other moisture-retaining material must be stored and displayed under conditions that will retard etiolated (non-green) or otherwise abnormal growth and will ensure an adequate supply of moisture to the roots at all times.

E.Nursery stock which, by reason of desiccation, damage or other cause, will not grow normally shall be removed from sale by the owner or person in charge of such stock.