WEEK 2: ELEMENTS TO
BE OBSERVED IN
PLANTING TREES AND
FRUIT-BEARING TREES
What trees gives us?
A. PROPER CARE OF PLANTS AND SOIL
1. Choose the best place for planting
2.Choose the seeds that best suit the season
and the soil
3.Put sufficient fertilizers in the soil
4.Take care of the soil and the plants regularly
METHODS OF PLANTING
Different trees are cultivated in different ways. There are two ways
of planting: direct and indirect. Direct planting is a method of
planting where the seeds or parts of a plant are directly planted in
the soil where it will germinate and grow into full-grown trees.
To maintain high quality seeds, the following steps are
recommended:
1. Remove off-type, diseased, and damaged seeds.
2. Label seeds properly.
3. Select and preserve only mature seeds and dry them under the
sun until proper moisture is attained.
B. PREPARING SEEDS FOR PLANTING
There are different ways of preparing seeds. One way is by
placing the seeds under the sun before planting. One
example of this is the ipil-ipil tree. Some seeds like the
mango have to be removed from their hard shells before
planting. Seeds like santol need to be dried before planted
in the soil. There are also seeds that need to be soaked in
water before planting, like the seeds of ipil-ipil. Seeds of
avocado are planted as is with the bigger end of the seed
below the soil surface.
C. SEED GERMINATION
Seeds need moisture, warmth, oxygen, and, in
some instances, sunlight in order to germinate.
Small seeds are sown in a seed box before setting
them out in the field. Seeds can also be
germinated in small plastic trays, pots, and other
relatively small containers filled with soil medium
recommended for seed propagation. The bottom of
the seed boxes should have tiny holes to allow
drainage.
D. PREPARATION OF SEEDLINGS BEFORE TRANSPLANTING
Mortality is high during transplanting if the seedlings are not given
proper care. To ensure a higher rate of survival, the following
processes are needed:
1. Thinning –. Thinning accelerates the circulation of air and
provides a greater feeding area for seedlings to make them sturdier
and healthier.
2. Pricking – This is done by transferring seedlings from one seed
box to another to provide more space for proper development.
3. Hardening – This process is done 7 to 15 days before
transplanting. The purpose is to make the tissue of the plants
harder in order to survive the rigors of transplanting.
E. INDIRECT PLANTING
In indirect planting, the plant needs to be transferred to its
permanent place. This is commonly done with trees. Nowadays, you
can avail seedlings planted in small plastic bags, ready for transfer.
Follow the general steps in the proper transferring of plants:
1. Place the seedlings away from direct sunlight. Make sure the
seedlings are healthy and fresh before planting.
2. Dig the area where you want to plant
them. The length and depth of the hole
should be according to how big the tree
will become.
3. Remove the plant from the plastic bag.
Do not remove the soil which holds the
roots.
4. Slowly and carefully place the
seedlings in the hole. Make sure the
main roots are not bent.
5. Cover it with soil. Lightly press the
soil.
6. Water the new plant early the next
morning. Use a water sprinkler. It is
important to water the soil that
surrounds the plant.
7. Remember: Plant your seedlings in the
afternoon when sunlight is no longer hot
to avoid withering.
