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Seedling stresses
Seedlings can be placed under stress from the environment, their surroundings and pests. These include:
- Climatic conditions drying out or uprooting seedlings
- Pests eating leaders, turning trees into shrubs
- Weak points are created by pests rubbing against branches
- Plants are also weakened by pests nibbling leaves
- Failures can happen when pests munch on branches
- Growth rates can be impacted by weed competition for soil nutrients
Stress buster #1: Encourage the right environment
Environmental challenges include:
- A lack of water can impede a seedling's growth
- Frost damage to tender stems can weaken young plants
- Young seedlings are reliant on the nutrients in and the quality of soil for healthy growth
- If the soil is lacking, this could impact success rates
Seedling solutions:
Nurture
Tree shelters deliver a local microclimate, increasing humidity, reducing water evaporation, and protecting from frost damage, all helping seedlings to grow strong
Nourish
Using fertilisers on young seedling plants after planting out can help increase the size of the plants and aid survival rates
Stress buster #2: Reduce the influence of external factors
External factors can also inhibit the success and growth of seedlings:
- Weeds are in competition with young seedlings for nutrition in the soil
- Allowing weeds to take over can impact on the seedling's performance
- Young seedlings are tasty fodder for animals
- The damage caused can severely weaken or kill the seedling
Seedling solutions:
Suppress
Weed matting laid around the base of a young tree or hedge plants will help suppress weed growth, reducing competition.
Protect
Reduce animal access by installing tree protection, whether in the form of a tube, spiral or mesh guard.