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growers know
CHECKUP
GIVE YOUR PLANTS A
by Frank Rauscher
Your plants give you signs when
they’re not well; all you have to do is
pay attention. Follow Frank Rauscher’s
tips on plant checkups and you’ll be
able to nip most problems in the bud.
T
oo often, we wait until there are obvious signs
that our plants have a problem before we become
aware of the individual symptoms. By this point, the
damage is usually extensive and the losses in produc-
tion, plant vigor, or even entire plants are inevitable.
The old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure is very true in the garden.
So, what are the types of things we should be doing
to spot plant maladies before they have done too much
damage? There are three basic categories in which
problems begin, and improper nutrition is the most
important. This is true because plants that are prop-
erly fed have stronger immune systems and are much
less likely to become infested by insects or disease
(which are the other two categories).
An experienced gardener will able to spot many more
potential problem areas with plants and crops than
someone without any training. So, let’s get started with
some additional training on recognizing issues that
our plants may be having. There are many things that
can make a plant become less vigorous or sickly. One
of the most important checks we can do for our plants
is to look closely at the nutrients we have been giving
them. Taking notes for these issues is one of the best
ways to stay on top of this.
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grow cycle