LESSON 2 ELEMENTS TO BE OBSERVED IN PLANTING TREES AND FRUIT-BEARING TREES

LET’S BE INFORMED

Planting, just like cooking, requires systematic way of doing things. It requires a step-by-step
procedure on how to select and prepare the soil, the seedlings, the tools, and the location for planting.
With these requirements, all that is needed is a thorough knowledge and skill on how to do the
planting process and the manner on how plants are to be taken care of.

Elements to be observed in planting trees and fruit bearing trees

A. Proper Care of Plants and Soil

Proper care of plants and soil is necessary for a healthy and bountiful harvest. Do the following:

1. Choose the best place for planting.

Trees and fruit trees require more space for growth than ornamental plants or crops. This is
because trees and fruit trees grow tall and wide . There are trees that roots that expand sideward and
those that move downward. Choose a place where trees will grow freely without obstruction like street
fences or walls. Have enough space allowance between trees, or between the streets, fences, or walls.
Consider the type of soil and the amount of sunlight.

2. Choose the seeds that best suit the season and the soil.

This means that the seeds come from a good quality mother and the seeds are healthy, mature,
with no blemishes or cuts, and of the right size and form. Seeds must be prepared before planting.
Planting should be done preferably during the rainy season. The soil must be suited to the type of seeds
to be planted. Consult an expert on what type of soil, or where do trees like acacia, narra, mango,
rambutan, or coconut grow best.

3. Put sufficient fertilizers in the soil.

It is advisable to prepare the soil before planting. This means cleaning the soil and its surrounding area
and mixing the soil with organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are safe and economical to use, while
inorganic or commercial fertilizers have to be regulated because overuse can poison the soil. A rich soil
is 40 percent clay loam, 30 percent compost, 20 percent dried carabao manure or chicken dung, and 10
percent sand. Remember, plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow and to make them
resistant to pests and diseases.

4. Take care of the soil and the plants regularly.

Caring for the young trees means removing the grass and weeds around them so they do not
compete in getting the nutrients from the soil. Keep the soil always moist and this is no problem during
the rainy season. However, during the dry months, there is a need to water them regularly. Watering is
done during sunrise or after sunset to keep the evaporation of water from the soil slow. Make a ring of
cultivation around the young tree with the size matching the circumference of the crown of the tree.
The soil in this ring is loose and slightly hilling up. In case of pests or insects infestation, do this by
building a fire and allowing the smoke to penetrate the foliage. Use the appropriate pesticide or
fungicide to control plant disease. Consult an expert on this. Likewise, prune the young tree by cutting
off infected or unproductive branches. Do not leave excess branches on the trunk to avoid infection
which occurs when the cut has not healed.

B. 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.
The use of high quality seeds results in high productivity. High quality seeds have a high
percentage of germination and correct moisture content and are free from seed pests, diseases, and
other physical impurities. They should come from a tree with a uniform height and heading, a
characteristic known as varietal purity. 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.

C. 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.

D. 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.

Before the seed is sown, the soil should be moistened with a fine spray of water until the soil
has absorbed enough moisture. Make rows with pointed sticks. These rows should be twice as deep as
the size of the seeds. Sow the seeds evenly in rows and cover them with loose soil then press the soil
gently. If you will plant trees, the space should be 10 meters in distance depending on the size of the
tree.
The seed box should be kept in a shady place until the seeds have sprouted. It should be
protected from pests, animals, and adverse weather. Cover the seed box with a sheet of paper to keep
it from drying out too fast during the dry season. When the seeds have sprouted, make sure they get
enough sunlight for proper growth.

E. 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 – There are times when more seeds are sown than necessary. To produce strong plants,
pull out some crowded seedlings so that the remaining plants will have more room. 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. Water the seedlings before pricking.

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. The water intake of the
plant is gradually decreased and the seedling is exposed to sunlight for a longer period of time.

F. 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. Leave two inches allowance in the length and depth
of the hole to allow the new roots to breath. For big trees like santol, mango, or acasia, the hole
is one meter wide, one meter deep, and one meter long. For small trees like atis, chico, avocado,
and kasoy, the hole should measure 20 inches deep, 20 inches wide, and 20 inches long.