I wasn’t inclined to planting trees in containers when I was younger. But now, as a mother, I see the importance of it.
No ... No... 🙂↔️, I do not condemn the traditional method, but I am trying to create a connection between the nursery practice and human development. When babies are born, they need their mother’s care and milk. It’s the same in agriculture—planting trees in containers allows you to closely monitor and nurture them in their early stages.
Do not be a farmer without a nursery home. Farming without a nursery can negatively affect a plant’s proper development. This was evident in one of my maize plants, which remained short due to water scarcity during its early growth. It turned out to be a dwarf plant with little yield.
Had the early stage been properly cared for, it would have turned out differently. It would be likely be a lush green plant with healthy leaves.
In a container, I can add manure such as cow dung, food compost, and freshly ground grass. I can also monitor the texture of the soil. Yesterday, for instance, I noticed that the water I added wasn't penetrating at all—the soil had hardened. I manually loosened it, then added water to improve percolation.
As you can see below, the plant is doing much better.
As a farmer, you must also monitor the amount of sunlight your seedlings receive. Too much sunlight during the early stages can cause dehydration and even death. However, controlled sunlight can do more good than harm.
That’s not all—appearance matters too. The plants should be green. Signs of chlorosis (yellowing leaves) suggest a lack of magnesium or nitrogen. You can apply NPK fertilizer, or if that’s unavailable, grind eggshells and mix them with fresh grasses and soil as a natural alternative.