The Lives of a Plant, Part One--Seedlings, Cuttings, and Transplants
The early stages of a plant’s life are a critical time. Like children, those raised in a healthy and nourishing environment grow up to become strong and productive; those raised in threatening and impoverished environments are always at a disadvantage and rarely mature to fulfill their potential. Healthy seedlings develop greater resistance to disease and insect infestations and promise faster growth and higher yields.
The gardener is like a mother to the young plant. This is the stage when carelessness, inconsistency and indifference will result in a poor crop, no matter how much attention is lavished on the plants later on. A nurturing gardener anticipates the plants’ needs and avoids letting problems develop. By the time you can see the problem, damage has already occurred. The objective is to avoid problems, not seeking remedies after they appear.
