Your seedling has the best survival chances when planted as soon as you’ve received it. The following are some tips that will increase the survival of your seedling from purchase through to establishment:

Tip 1: Transport seedlings carefully.

Tip 2: Store seedlings in a cool and shaded area until ready to be planted

Tip 3: Do not store or leave seedlings submerged in water while in storage

Tip 4: Do not rip or tear roots from seedlings; if pruning is necessary, use a sharp blade

Tip 5: Plant seedlings where they can get sunlight, good soil drainage with ample top soil. (As a rule, never plant on sites that are usually very dry during the summer or very wet months).

Tip 6: Soil preparation (often a hole) is necessary. With the use of a planting tool, open a hole slightly wider and deeper than either the plug or bag containing the seedling to be planted.

Tip 7: Seedlings should be planted with straight rooting system (no bending/twisting etc.)

Tip 8: Place the seedling into the hole with the root collar in line with the soil surface. Press around the roots with additional, loose, moist soil.

Tip 9: Water seedling at time of planting and as required until seedling has established roots (until it ‘catches’)

Tip 10: Fertilizer: A relatively good soil does not require fertilizer; however, a slow release (preferably organic) fertilizer can be used to supplement depleted soils

Tip 11: To maximize moisture and nutrient availability for the plant, keep the planting area free of weeds

Tip 12: Mulching can also be practiced and is cost effective, and beneficial to both the seedling and the soil

Tip 13: Continue to monitor plants for signs of disease, pests, or any condition than can negatively alter the plant’s growth

Note: Seedlings should be moist and transplanted within 48 hours after receiving.