DriWater Native Plant Establishment Study Update

Valley Oak Roots DriWater Only on Left - Handwatered on Right

DriWater Inc. conducted a study from August 2009 through October 2010.  Four native plant species were planted on the first of each month from August 2009 through October 2009. The species used for the study were Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak), Quercus Labata (Coast Valley Oak), Calycanthus Occidentalis (Spice Bush) and Holodiscus Discolor (Ocean Spray). This study applied a TRWG with added zinc and glacial acetic acid to half the species in August 2009 providing 90-days of continuous moisture during late summer/fall plantings. Controls were given 2.5 gallons of water, without nutrients, each week for 12 weeks. This study was effective in determining two variables.  First that planting in August has superior results than those planted in October. Species planted in August showed a 55% increase in root mass growth over species planted in October. The other variable was that plant species planted in August that received only a TRWG for establishment showed a 69 % root mass increase over controls. The study took place in Santa Rosa, CA and included results from August, September and October of 2009 plantings. The last data collected was 10/27/10.  We will keep you posted on our findings.