UPM-Biofore-Magazine-2-2017-ENG

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in forestry engineering and business administration, Immonen is a seedling grower through and through. She has been in charge of the tree nursery since 2006. In that time, the business has grownmore technical: heavy physical labour has been replaced by automation to ease the daily routine. The latest investment is a new robotic seedling packing line, with an automatic sowing line soon to be installed beside it. Next, an automatic sowing line will be transferred beside it. The new control room is almost ready as well; soon the growers will be able to check seed germination, plant house ventilation, seedling fertiliser requirements and other factors frommonitors. This will improve work ergonomics and free up hands for other tasks around the nursery. Live seedlings remain the centrepiece of the tree nursery. Immonen gives visitors a tour of the grounds with the confident style of an experienced guide. Eyes and ears open! Irrigation and packing On the edge of a seedling lot, we find grower Mari Nykänen monitoring the irrigation equipment above the spruce seedlings. Recent frequent rains have reduced the need for irrigation. After irrigation, Nykänen will apply the autumn fertiliser – the last task before winter arrives. A healthy dose of

nitrogen gives the seedlings an energy boost to help them survive the cold. The staff pay close attention to weather charts. Grower Tero Kallinen checks the latest reports on his smartphone, but more important than the phone screen is the colour of the seedlings growing outdoors. A true expert can tell from a single glance whether a plant should be relocated or have its fertiliser and nutrients adjusted. “You can end up with weak fertiliser if rain keeps washing it away, or you can apply the wrong fertiliser at the wrong time,” Kallinen describes. “Here we live by the weather. Quick reactions were needed yet again this summer, as our original plans needed adjustment,” Kallinen continues. Making the right call requires foresight and intuition.

Anne Immonen is a seedling grower through and through.

“We only use the best seeds, as they are the foundation of a healthy forest. As with wines, every year is different, and we know each vintage.”

22 | BIOFORE

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