Seedling stage refers to the initial stage of growth, from breaking through the soil to 3-4 leaves.
At this stage, the root is shallow and the seedling is small, so there is basically no need for topdressing for planting with garden soil; however, for planting with less substrate, topdressing can be done as appropriate under the appropriate temperature, and the amount of attention should be less than that during the vigorous growth period.
From the aspect of watering, the soil should be kept moist before the cotyledons are expanded; after the cotyledons are expanded, it can be turned into the way of surface soil watering when it is dry.
For perennial plants, this maintenance method is applicable to the early stage of germination of bulbous plants and all kinds of woody plants (especially for those with the habit of defoliation and dormancy, when the germination starts again, some species will synchronize with the bud stage, or appear after the flowering, usually for a short time).
At this stage, plants grow rapidly and need water and fertilizer.
Watering should be done when the surface soil is dry. As long as the temperature is suitable, fertilizer can be used as appropriate, whether it is potted or planted on the ground. After all, there is an important principle in top dressing. New leaves (buds) do not need fertilizer.
For foliage plants, the nitrogen content in the fertilizer should be more; for flower and fruit plants, the fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium can be added appropriately.
This period is also the time when plants need most water and fertilizer. Unlike simple long leaves, the growth of flower buds and fruits consumes nutrients, while the growth of leaves accumulates nutrients.
The method of watering is the same as that in the vigorous growth period, which means that when the topsoil is dry, it will be watered thoroughly. According to the plant growth and temperature change, the frequency will be adjusted appropriately.
As for the use of fertilizer, fertilizer containing more phosphorus and potassium is usually used to promote the growth of flowers and fruits.
This stage is the period for plants to recuperate and rest. The growth almost stops (applicable to most plants, especially some evergreen plants) and even leaves (some woody plants with the habit of falling leaves in winter) appear. All the plants on the ground wither, leaving only the shape of perennial or bulbous (some perennial herbs), and there is little demand for water and fertilizer.
The main point of maintenance is to cut off fertilizer, but not water.
The maintenance method in this period can be fully used for reference in the dormancy period, i.e. the fertilizer is cut off and the water is continuously watered, while the topsoil is dry and then fully watered; as the root system is not yet well developed and sensitive to fertilizer, there is no need to consider the matter of topdressing.
In the slow seedling stage, no matter what kind of habits the plants are in, generally speaking, it is recommended to let off the light and ventilation, suspend the sun, and wait for them to grow again in the future, and then wait for them according to their own habits. For a few plants with a lot of skin, such as sunflower, bamboo blossom, etc., cuttings are easy to live. In the slow seedling stage, proper sun exposure will not affect their survival. It is easier to manage these plants.
If there are seasonal flowers, the total flowering period is very short, such as apples, pears, apricots, etc. in the full flowering period, because the flowers are more sensitive to fertilizer, it is not recommended to use fertilizer for them when they bloom in large quantities.
There are also perennial plants with long flowering period, such as dwarf cattle, carnation, geranium and sunflower. When the temperature is appropriate, fertilizer (fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium) can be used appropriately.
As for the method of watering, it is also the same as the method of watering when the surface soil is dry. This method is basically universal, and it is almost applicable to most plants.
