How Do Plants Grow?

http://www.different-kinds-of-plants.com

Copyright© 2009 Steve C. Habib – All Rights Reserved

 Table Of Contents

Chapter One: Plant Growth & Stages Of Plant

Life

Chapter Two: The Different Types Of Plants

Chapter Three: What You Should Know About Soil

Chapter Four: Why Plants Need Light To Grow

Chapter Five: How Water Effects Plant Growth

Chapter Six: Feeding Plants The Right Nutrients

Chapter Seven: How, When And Why You Should

Repot Your Plants
Chapter Eight: Helpful Gardening Tips

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Chapter One: Plant Growth & Stages Of Plant Life

If you want to grow healthy plants and gardens, you are going to need more
than just a green thumb. There are several different factors that will effect
your plant’s growth. The growth of plants is similar to many other living things
you may be already familiar with. When growing plants, plants have four
different stages they will go through. Plants will start with a beginning stage, a
reproductive stage and an ending stage. Some plants with also have an
additional stage called the dormant stage. The dormant stage is when the plant
goes into hibernation, like a bear that hibernates for the winter. These four
stages can be referred to as the vegetative stage, reproductive stage,
senescence stage and the dormancy stage.

The Vegetative Stage

At the beginning of a plant’s life, the plant will start off as a little seed. This
little plant seed contains food storage and a protective outer shell. When you
first plant this seed into your soil, it will absorb moisture and nutrients from its
food storage. Once it has absorbed food from the storage, it will start growing
the root stem and penetrate the protective outer shell to become a shoot.
Shoots are new plant growth that can include stems, flowering stems or leaves.

As your plant starts to grow, the root will grow down into the moist soil and the
shoot will grow upwards towards the sunlight. Your plant then may grow leaves
that unfold while your roots continue to grow and spread. This process will
continue until your plant is fully developed. Your plant’s roots and the leaves
will absorb the necessary moisture and nutrients from the soil, water and the
air.

The Reproductive Stage

There are more than 300,000 different types of plants. Of those, more than
half are seed plants. Seed plants make their own seeds from which new plants
will grow. The other ways plants are made are from spores, bulbs, corms,
rhizomes, grafts and buds. You might want to read more about this process by
reading books about plant reproduction or doing some research on the internet.

Below is some basic information to help you how understand how plants
reproduce their own seeds to create new plants.

Flowers contain specialized cells called ovules. These have the job of making
the new sees. Most plants, trees, vegetables and even grass will sprout flowers.
While most of these flowers will be beautiful, some will be so small that you
can barely see them. All plants can produce new plants in one way or another.
Plants can be classified as perfect and imperfect. The perfect flowers are the
ones that contain both male and female parts. The imperfect flowers are the
ones that contain only male or female parts. Both of these different types of
flowers have ways to create their offspring.

The stamen is the male part of the flower and has an anther on a stalk. The
anther’s job is produce pollen. Then it also the female part called the pistil.
The pistil contains the flower’s ovary, the style and the stigma. Inside of the
plant’s ovary are the ovules. Each of the ovules contains an egg cell. When the
egg cell joins with a pollen cell, a seed can be produced.

The ovary is located at the base of a plant. The stigma is located at the top. In
between the two is the style. The pollen from the anther has to land on the
stigma and when this happens, the pollen germinates and makes its way to the
ovary. Inside of the plant’s ovary are the ovules that contain the egg cells.
When an egg cell joins with the pollen cell, a seed can be produced. The ovary
then becomes a fruit. With this said, a fruit is a mature ovary holding the
seeds.

The Senescence Stage

The next stage of your plant’s growth is the senescence stage. This is also
known as the aging stage or old age in plants. This stage occurs to conserve
resources within a plant. This stage will occur after new seeds or pods have
been produced for new plant life. This stage of a plant’s life can be usually
seen in the fall. Leaf senescence is what causes the leaves to change colors
before they fall off. This can be referred to the general shedding of old leaves.

The Dormancy Stage

There is a growth stage that some plants will go through called dormancy. This
is when a plant goes into hibernation. It goes into hibernation to allow it to
survive the winter season and revive itself in the spring. Going into hibernation
allows the plant to have new growth without going through vegetative stage.

One type of plant that you will commonly see go through this stage is a tree.
You will see that the tree will drop its leaves in the fall. Then it will remain in
a dormant stage until new buds come out in the spring. A tree will continue to
run these same cycles each year until it eventually dies. You will also see a
dormancy stage when you plant bulbs. Your bulbs will grow, flower and then
disappear for about a year.
Chapter Two: The Different Types Of Plants

When talking about plants, there are different types of plants terms that you
should be aware of before you begin planting your flowerbed, garden, etc.

Annuals – These are plants that live for one year or less. They are also known
as plants that have seasonal flowering in which they only flower for three to
four months of the year. Examples of some annuals are Asters, Bachelor
Button, Balsam, Basil, Cosmos, Marigold, Petunias and Salvias.

Biennials – These are plants that live for two years or less. They actually take
two years to grow from seed to fruition, bloom and then die. This plant also
has seasonal flowering. This plant only flowers in the second year of planting.
To be successful with this plant to have flowers blooming each year, you have
to plant seeds every year. Examples of some biennials are Echium, Forget-Me-
Nots, Foxglove, Pansies and Wildpretti.

Bulbs – A bulb has a specific stem structure that needs to be planted beneath
the soil and stays underground. The roots will grow down from it. Then the
stem and the leaves grow up from it. These plants will grow, flower then
disappear completely until the following year. Examples of some bulbs are
Daffodils and Tulips.

Climbers – This is a plant that relies on something for support to help it grow
such as another plant, wall or maybe a trellis. Examples of climbers are Grape
Ivy, Starry Wild Jasmine and Clematis.

Creepers – These are the plants that can be grown on the top of a wall or as a
cover for a wall. Examples of some creepers are Bignonia, Passiflora and
Venusta.

Perennials – These are plants that last longer than the annuals and biennials.
They can actually last many years. They are flowering plants that keep
flowering but usually take about two years until they are old enough to start
blooming. Examples of some perennials are Bleeding Heart, Geraniums,
Gerberas and Water Lily.

Shrubs – This can also be called a bush. It is a type of woody plant that is
smaller than a tree. It has a short stem that branches near the ground. It can
be one that flowers or just ornamental. Examples of some shrubs are Aloe,
Hibiscus, Lavatera and Santolina.
Chapter Three: What You Should Know About Soil

Besides using water, using a top quality soil can be a very important part of
your plant’s growth. This is especially true if you are planting a seed in some
sort of container or pot. If you use poor potting soil, good chances are that
your soil is going to dry up and turn hard. If this happens, your plant has no real
chance of life. Plants need potting soil that will hold water, nutrients and
oxygen. This is necessary for your plant’s roots to grow healthy and produce
healthy stems, leaves and flowers.

When shopping for soil, you have to look at the ingredients listed on the bag.
Many might think that dirt is dirt, but that is very untrue. When you are
shopping for your soil, be aware that the companies that produce the soil in
most states are not required by law to list their ingredients. With that said,
almost anything can be labeled as “potting soil”. This means that gardeners
are basically on their own when setting out to find the right soil. If a bag of
potting soil does not list their ingredients, you can pretty much assume there is
nothing in their bag worth mentioning.

You will find that when you are looking at prices for soil, they will vary
depending on the manufacturers. You can probably figure that the cheapest
soil that you find is not going to include the best quality ingredients. It is
probably going to consists of very poor quality compost. Look for the word
compost on the bag. If you see that term, know that compost may or can
include yard waste, sewage sludge or other unknown composted items. You will
want to see what type of compost is actually included. Soil with compost that
is made from aged forest products is the good type of compost and considered
high quality.

Different types of soil may be good for different types of plants. The type of
soil you purchase should really depend on what you are planning on planting. If
you pick up a bag of soil that has a variety of ingredients such as pine needles,
dirt, decomposed leaves or pieces of wood, this would not be the best thing to
use for planting a houseplant. This soil might work for an outdoor flower bed
though. If you are planting plants in containers, try using a soil that is airy. This
will provide a good air exchange and drainage for your plant. This type of soil
also has the ability to hold water as well as nutrients that is needed for your
plant to grow nice and healthy.

You will find that the top quality soil is not even going to contain soil in it. It is
actually going to be a mix of several different ingredients which may include
sphagnum peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, aged forest products and sand.
These key ingredients are ones that must be gathered, purchased, shipped and
mixed by manufacturers of potting soil. Some potting soil may even include
lime that is used to balance the pH so it is not too acidy or alkaline. So when
you are shopping for soil, be sure to check the ingredients to see if they
include the ingredients I just mentioned.

When purchasing the top quality soil that includes all those great ingredients I
just mentioned above, you will provide your plant with soil fertility. Soil
fertility simply refers to the ability of the soil to provide plants with sufficient
amounts of the nutrients and water to support sufficient plant life. Fertile soil
will be rich in nutrients necessary for your plant’s basic nutrition which
includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It will also contain sufficient
minerals for your plant’s nutrition that include: boron, chlorine, cobalt,
copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc and sulfur. Your
plant’s soil should also have a soil pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.8.

To read about what type of nutrients or fertilizers to use with your plants, see
Chapter Six: Feeding Your Plants The Right Nutrients.

There are various terms that you may here when learning about plant soil.
Below are some of these terms with brief descriptions as what these terms
mean.

Soil Texture – This is a soil property that is used to describe the relative
proportion of the different grain sizes of mineral particles in the soil. The
particles are actually grouped according to their size into what is called soil
separates.

Soil Separates – These are typically named clay, silt and sand.

Soil Texture Triangle – A diagram used to figure out the soil textures.

Soil Structure – This is a soil property that refers to grouping of the soil
granules into larger aggregates of various sizes and shapes.

Soil Depth – This is a soil property that refers to the thickness of the soil
materials that provide structural support, nutrients, and water for plants.

Soil Permeability and Infiltration – This is a soil property that is a measure of

the ability of air and water to move it.
Chapter Four: Why Plants Need Light To Grow

Be sure to plan out where you are going to plant your plants or garden before
you begin planting your seeds. You will need to find out if your plant is one
that is sun-loving or does well in shade. If your plant loves sun, it will not do
well in a shady location. Also, if you your plant is one that does well in shade,
it cannot adjust to areas with full sunlight. Most packets of seeds that you
purchase will give you this information on the back of the packaging.

In order for a plant to grow green and healthy, it needs a few different things.
The plant is going to need water, minerals, light, carbon dioxide and
chlorophyll. All plants need sunlight to photosynthesize. This is the process in
which light, chlorophyll, energy, carbon dioxide and water interact within the
plant to produce the sugar and starches it needs to survive. Plants also need
sunlight or the right amount of electric light in order to make Chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the chemical that makes our plants green. If plants do not get
proper lighting, they cannot produce chlorophyll and they will lose their green
coloring and will eventually die.

Most common houseplants are considered shade plants that normally live in the
forest and have a lower light requirement than plants that live in the sun.
Some shade plants are also very adaptable to higher light levels while some are
not. A houseplant’s shade tolerance often depends on how fast they are
transferred from high to low light levels. If you transfer them gradually to a
low light, they will have a much better chance of survival. It also is true if you
want to transfer them from low light to high light levels.

Different plants need different amounts of light. If they do not get the amount
of light they need, they may fail. The same is true if they get too much light.
Do some research first and find out if your plant needs bright or indirect light.
If these are plants that are going to be planted indoors, take a look at your
rooms and see if they can supply the amount of light that the plant needs. Most
foliage plants will need less sunlight then flowering plants and houseplants
enjoy a good amount of partial or bright sun rather than direct sunlight. These
are just a couple general rules but do not apply to every plant.

When you choose the lighting condition for your plant, keep in mind that both
the intensity of the light and the length of the light are the two factors that
affect your plant the most. Be also aware that the growth of your plant will
depend on the increase and decrease of the light intensity depending on the
season. In summer, when the light intensity is at its strongest, your plants will
grow faster. They will also require more moisture and fertilizer than they will
during the winter months when the light exposure is not as intense.
If you want to grow indoors, but do not have adequate lighting, you can try
using supplemental lighting. This would be done by purchasing grow lights to
provide additional lighting. You can also use an incandescent light bulb. These
area good source of red rays but are not a good source of blue rays. They
produce too much heat for most plants, so if they are used, you must position
them at least 1” or above your plant to prevent burning. It will not supply as
much light as a grow light, but would work well for plants that require low
light.

If you want to plant seeds indoors or have plants that need more light than an
incandescent light can provide, you can use a shop light with a 40 watt
fluorescent tube. These provide light from the blue spectrum which helps keep
plants short and bushy. Using this type of lighting, you would need to set it up
that the lights are almost touching the plants because the lighting is cool. You
would then need to move them outside or provide the plants with a full
spectrum source of light after about four weeks of growing.

In order to help you make sure that your plants are getting the right amount of
light, below are terms to help you understand the different lighting conditions:

Bright Light - This is refers to areas that receive a great amount of light
through the reflection of sunlight off of walls and ceiling. This type of light
does not receive any type of direct sun.

Direct Sunlight - This refers to the type of light that is unobstructed. Inside,
this refers to the light that can be found in south facing windows where
sunlight comes in for at least 5 hours a day.

Filtered Light Or Dappled Sun – This refers to the light which receives south or
east exposure that shines through trees, bushes or an overhand.

Partial Sunlight – This refers to the type of light that receives direct sun for
less than 5 hours per day

Shade – This is the type of light that can be found inside rooms that receive no
light from windows.

Full Shade – This is the type of light that receives less than 3 hours of direct
sunlight each day and has some filtered sunlight during the rest of the day.
Chapter Five: How Water Effects Plant Growth

As you may already know, water is very crucial to all life. Even the plants in
the desert need water to survive. There are three different situations that can
be explained with what water does for a plant. Your plant can get too much
water, too little water and just enough water.

When the plant’s soil gets too much water, it deprives the roots of oxygen and
the roots can rot. A plant cannot grow if it does not have healthy roots. This
can also cause the plant to not get enough oxygen from the soil. If your plant
does not get enough water, the roots may wither and the plant will wilt and
die. To make sure your plant has the correct amount of water, put your finger
in the soil up to your knuckle. If the soil is moist, it has enough water. If the
soil is dry, you need to give your plant more water. Another quick way to check
if your plants in pots have enough water is to pick up the pot. If the pot is
lighter than normal or the dirt is pulling away from the sides, it simply needs
more water.

Plants are almost completely made up of water. It is very important to supply

them with the adequate amount of water to maintain their health. They key to
success is watering deeply and less frequently. When you water your plants, be
sure to water them well. You will want to give them enough water that will
saturate the root ball. When you are watering in-ground plants, soak the soil
until it has penetrated at least 6 or 7 inches in depth. If you are watering
plants in a container, use enough water to allow the water to flow through the
drainage holes in the bottom.

Different plants need different amounts of water. When you have outdoor
plants, you cannot control if your plants get to much water if your weather
conditions where you live get a lot of rain. If this is your situation, try to make
sure that your soil has the proper drainage. Water also helps your plant
maintain its proper temperature. When the moisture starts to evaporate from
the plant’s surface area, it will cause the plant to draw up more water through
its roots to replace what it lost

Balancing your plant’s water needs is similar to having a healthy diet.

Everything your plant consumes should be in moderation. Provide your plants
with enough water to maintain good health, but don’t over water them. Do
your watering in the cool part of the morning or evening when the wind is
calm, the sun is less hot, and water loss through evaporation is minimal.

.
Chapter Six: Feeding Plants The Right Nutrients

To grow strong and healthy plants, you need to feed your plants the right
nutrients. All plants need some nutrients to grow healthy and for flower or food
production. Water is also important for your plants because it transports the
important nutrients through the plant. The nutrients are drawn from your
plant’s soil and then used by your plant.

When taking a trip to your local nursery or garden shop to purchase soil, you
might be a little confused with what you should be buying. There are going to
be many different brands with many different uses. You may look at the bags
of fertilizer and wonder what the number on these packages mean.

If you know nothing about chemistry, you might find all this a little confusing.
There are around 90 naturally occurring elements that are found in normal
plant tissue. Out of 90, about 16 are elements that are essential for plant
growth. Of those 16 elements, three of them come from air and water. Those
would be carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The other plant nutrients are divided
into 3 different groups. Those groups are primary nutrients, secondary
nutrients and micronutrients. The secondary nutrients include: calcium,
magnesium and sulfur. The micronutrients include: boron, chlorine, copper,
iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and zinc and are only needed in very
small quantities.

When looking at the different bags of soil, you will see numbers on the bags
that represent the percentage by weight of the three primary nutrients. Those
three primary nutrients are: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). If
you find a bag that is labeled 15-15-15, it has an equal percentage of each of
these three primary nutrients. You might also find bags that are labeled
“complete”. This means that they contain all of these three primary nutrients
but they may lack the secondary nutrients and micronutrients.

When your plants lack certain nutrients, different problems can arise. For
instance, if your plant lacks calcium, it can cause problems on vegetables and
fruits like blossom-end rot on tomatoes. If your plants lack magnesium, their
leaves might start curling. Plants that are slow growing, stunted or may have
yellow-green leaves might have a nitrogen deficiency. You can find many
websites online that will show you pictures of what the different plant
deficiencies look like.

When using fertilizer, be sure to not overdo it. A little fertilizer may be good,
but using too much will not make it better. Using too much nitrogen can cause
excessive dark-green growth that may even burn the plants which may cause
them to need more water. The best thing to do is follow the instructions giving
on the package of fertilizer.
There are some fertilizers that will add organic matter to your soil. This can
improve your soil’s structure. These organic fertilizers are slower to release
their nutrients which means they last longer and are less likely to burn your
plants. If you want something that acts fast, try using liquid fertilizer.

You can also use soil testing to determine what type of fertilizer you should be
using and how much. You can purchase home testing kids to give you a ballpark
idea but they will not be precise. Soil testing will also let you know the pH of
your soil which will reflect its relative acidity or alkalinity. Your plant’s soil
should have a soil pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.8. Most the nutrients will be
unavailable to your plant unless the pH is between 5.5 and 7.5. You can adjust
your soil’s pH if it is outside of this range with amendments. j

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to improve your plants, the answer
might already be sitting in one of the closets or cabinets in your house. Do you
have a box of Epsom salt in your house? Epsom salt is also known as magnesium
sulfate. It is a white, crystalline powder that is used for a variety of purposes.

Epsom salt is a very affordable way to help start your garden. It also can help
improve your garden that is already planted. Epsom salt can be used in the
garden as a fertilizer, as a pest deterrent, it can improve chlorophyll
production, make plants grow bushier, produce more flowers, helps seeds
germinate and more. It also has the ability to enhance the quality and
condition of your lawn, bushes or shrubs. This stuff can be used on tomato
plants, houseplants, roses and more. Epsom salt has even been known to grow
plants larger than those treated with only commercial fertilizer.

Magnesium and sulfates are two major components of Epsom salt. Magnesium is
used for seed germination and vital for the production of Chlorophyll. Epsom
salt can aid in the absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen which are the two of
the primary nutrients of fertilizer.

Below are few tips on using Epsom Salt For Your Plants:

Houseplants - Use 2 TBS per gallon of water monthly

Tomatoes – Use 1 TBS per foot of plant height per plant every 2 weeks

Roses – Use 1 TBS per foot of plant height per plant every 2 weeks

Shrubs – Use 1 TBS per 9 square feet over root zone every 2-4 weeks

Lawns – Use 3 LBS for every 1,250 square feet with a spreader

Trees – Use 2 TBS per 9 square feet over root zone 3 times annually
Chapter Seven: How, When And Why You Should
Repot Your Plants
How Do You Know If A Plant Needs To Be Repotted?

Plants are normally sold in pots or containers of adequate size to support the
plant. As your plants continue to grow, they should be moved into larger pots
or containers. If you have a small plant, you can turn the pot on its side and
ease the plant out of the container. If the roots are coiled at the bottom of the
pot, it is time to repot. With larger plants, if you can see roots on the surface
of the soil or emerging from the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, it is
definitely time to repot.

Why Should Plants Be Repotted?

If you do not provide your plant with more room for its roots to grow, your
plant’s roots can become pot-bound. This means that the roots of the plant
become cramped and prevents the plant from growing. Don’t waste your time
repotting plants that you just buy. They should be able to stay in the pot you
purchase them in for quite some time.

Many people make the mistake of bringing home a new plant and repotting it.
If you are thinking of repotting your plant to make it more attractive, try using
the “double pot” or “cachepot” method. This is simply putting your plant in its
growing container in another more attractive container. Keeping your plant in
the plastic growing container is your best choice. All you need to do is place
the growing container and plant inside a larger decorative container.

If your “cachepot” has a drainage hole, you can put a saucer inside of it under
your growing pot to catch drainage. Make sure that you use a container that is
larger than your original pot. If your “cachepot” is too tall, you can use a piece
of Styrofoam to raise the plant.

How To Choose A New Container Or Pot For Your Plant

When looking for a container or pot to repot your plant in, the new pot should
not be more than 2 inches wider at the rim or 2 inches deeper. Know that the
top of the plant will not grow until its roots start to fill the container. Also, a
pot that is too large will hold too much water and may cause root rot. Be sure
that your new pot also has the enough holes on the bottom for proper drainage.

If you are planning on reusing your pots, be sure to scrub the pots between
plantings to remove any possible plant diseases. An easy way to disinfect your
pots is by using a solution of one part chlorine bleach and nine parts water.
Then rinse well with water. On another note, if you are using new terra cots
pots, be sure to soak them in water for a few hours before you put your new
plant in them. When you buy new terra cotta pots, they are very try and will
absorb moisture from the soil, taking away from your plant.

How To Repot A Plant

When you are repotting a plant, turn your plant on its side and ease the plant
gently from its original pot. If the plant does not move, try tapping the bottom
of the pot on a hard surface to loosen it. If that does not work, you can try
using a knife or trowel around the inside of the pot, making sure you do not
damage the root ball.

If your roots on your plant are coiled, you can use your fingers to pull them
straight. You should then prune or roots before repotting. Pruning your roots
will stimulate new root growth and help your plant adapt in its new container.

Once you are ready to put your plant in its new pot, partly fill the new
container or pot with your potting soil. Then center your plant in the new
container and fill the side of the pot around your plant with additional soil.
Then use your fingers to pack the dirt down tightly around the sides of the pot.

After you have done the above steps, water your new potted plant thoroughly
to moisten the roots and settle your soil. You may need to add more soil if
necessary. Repotting your plants can be very stressful for them and they will
need time to recuperate. Be sure not to expose your repotted plant to direct
sun right away because sun might be too harsh for it.

Keep the soil evenly most, but do not add too much water to make it soggy. If
your leaves start to go limp, they are not getting enough water. If the edges of
the leaves start to turn brown, you are giving it too much water. Also,
remember to never fertilize a plant that has just been repotted. If you have
pruned the roots, using fertilizer can cause fertilizer burn. You will want to
wait at least a month before fertilizing the plant.
Chapter Eight: Helpful Gardening Tips
Below are some tips that we thought you might find helpful that were not
mentioned in the previous chapters.

Choose The Right Plants - Proper plant selection is one of the key factors in
your success when you are planting a garden, flowerbed or landscaping. While
certain plants may be very pretty and colorful, others can serve a purpose such
as shade, erosion control, dividing, etc.

Pest Control – Keep a close eye on your garden or plants for any signs of pests.
If you move quickly on pests, you can avoid them from spreading.

Planting Bulbs – Wanting to plant some bulbs for the fall? Mid summer is the
perfect time to start planting them. If you plant them in the late summer, they
will bloom in the spring.

Pruning Shrubs – Even though shrubs don’t require pruning, there are some
shrubs that flower in the spring and early summer that will benefit from
pruning once they have finished flowering.

Watering – Avoid watering disease susceptible plants at night. Water that sits
on plants for hours can cause fungal diseases that attacks leaves, flowers, buds
and fruits. These types of plants should be watered in the morning so the
warming sun will allow them to dry.

Create More Space – If your garden is cramped and crowded, try growing
vertically.

Dirty Fingernails – To prevent your nails from accumulating dirt under your
fingernails, draw your fingernails across a bar of soap until you have sealed the
undersides of your nails. This prevents dirt from collecting beneath them. After
gardening, use a nailbrush to remove the soap.

Save Water – When you are boiling or steaming vegetables don’t waste the
water by pouring it down your drain. Use it to water your potted patio plants.
They will LOVE it!

Fungus Control – You can use chamomile tea to control damping-off fungus that
can attack young seedlings. Use a spot of tea around the soil of the base of
your seedlings once a week or just it as a spray.