1.Seedlings
For various kinds of plants, flowers and vegetables, seedlings are the earliest stage of growth. The period in which a plant is classified as a seedling includes the time from which it breaks through the soil until three or four leaves appear.
Seedlings are small and don’t need topdressing if planted in a garden. But for those planted in substrates that are not rich in nutrients, topdressing is needed at appropriate temperatures. Please note that the amount of fertilizer needed at this stage is slightly less than in the vigorous growth period.
Before the cotyledons open, the soil needs to be kept moist. After they open, watering is needed when the soil becomes dry.
For perennial plants, this method applies to the early sprouting stage of bulbous plants and of woody plants.
2.Vigorously growing plants
At this stage, plants grow rapidly and need manure of fermented night-soil mixed with water. Watering is needed when the soil becomes dry. In this case, only watering frequency can be controlled. Whenever temperatures are appropriate, plants in pots and in the ground can use fertilizers as appropriate. One of the important principles is that no fertilizers are needed when no new leaves or buds are seen. For foliage plants, the fertilizers should contain a little more nitrogen. For flower or fruit plants, the fertilizers should contain a little more phosphorus and potassium.
Plants start to grow quickly at different times. Annual plants start to grow fast in the early period of development, i.e. from the seedling stage to before buds appear.
Foliage plants start to grow fast in the spring and autumn when temperatures are good. Woody plants vary in this regard. The vigorous growing period of some plants coincides with the growth stage of young fruit plants, including apples, peaches and pears.
3.Budding and fruit bearing
Manure of fermented night-soil mixed with water is most needed at this stage. Budding and fruit-bearing plants need to accumulate nutrients while leaves grow.
However, budding or fruit-bearing occurs at different times for different plants. For annual and biennial plants and plants with short growth periods, budding or fruit-bearing occurs in the middle or late periods. Such plants include sunflowers, beans and rapeseed. Budding and fruit bearing times are even more variable among perennial plants. Some plants bud and bear fruit before leaves appear, as is seen with the short-tube lycoris. Some woody plants bloom in early spring, particularly fructus forsythiae, winter jasmine and mangnolia, all of which bloom before leaves appear. Others bud and bear fruit as they grow quickly, including pomegranate, jakaranda and jasminum floridum.
These plants are watered during this period as they are in the vigorous growth period: watering is needed when the soil becomes dry. The growth conditions and changes in temperature are also factors to determine watering frequency. For foliage plants, flowers and fruit are not as pleasant to look at as leaves. Sometimes, flowers and fruit are cut off to save nutrients for leaves, as is the case with hydrocotyle verticillata and peperomiate trophylla. Therefore, budding and fruit-bearing for these plants are not a factor in consideration.
4.Dormancy
Dormancy is the period in which plants take a break and growth stops almost completely. This period occurs for most plants, particularly evergreen ones and even some deciduous plants. Overground plants wither and only perennial and bulb roots remain, as is the case with perennial herbaceous plants, which require very little water or fertilizer.
The key point is that the supply of fertilizer can be stopped while watering must continue. That is, no fertilizer is needed during this period. Just water the plants as usual, i.e. when the soil dries up, at a much lower frequency than when the plant buds or bears fruit. For example, during dormancy, simply water the plant once every one or two weeks or longer. The frequency for the vigorous growing period is to water once every four to seven days.
5.Rejuvenation
This is a special period when the environment has undergone drastic changes, for example, when the plants are transplanted or newly bought. Caring methods are special, regardless of what stage of growth the plant is in. The methods used during dormancy can also be implemented here: no fertilizer is needed, and water as usual. Whenever the soil dries up, water the plant. The root system at this stage is not well developed and sensitive to fertilizer, and no topdressing is needed.
This rejuvenation period in transplanting is short if the plant’s roots are only slightly hurt, or if the plant is herbal or small in size. The period is long if the root is seriously hurt, or if the plant is woody or large in size.
During rejuvenation, it is advised that the plant be put under scattered light and good ventilation and that it not be placed under direct sunlight. After the plant has rejuvenated and begun to grow again, methods that suit their characteristics should be adopted. For a few robust plants, such as sunflowers and wandering jews, cuttage does not affect their vitality. Even during rejuvenation, such plants can be placed under the sun. Work is easier for them.
6.Flowering
Flowering is a special stage. Different plants have different requirements. For seasonal flowering, the flowering period is short, including apple plants, pear plants and apricot plants. During full blooming, flowers are sensitive to fertilizer. Therefore, fertilizers are not recommended for when flowers bloom fully.
For plants which bloom year round, such as petunias, pink, geraniums and sunflowers, an appropriate amount of fertilizer should be considered during full blooming when temperatures are suitable.
Simply water the plant when the soil dries up. This applies to most plants.
