Want your seedlings to grow smoothly and be a delight to the eye? Expert advice on what to look out for

Spring gardening in Lithuania is in full swing, and shop shelves are slowly filling up with seedlings of all kinds. With so much choice, the question naturally arises: how to choose not only a beautiful plant, but also a high-quality, healthy plant? Here are some tips on how to choose seedlings that will not only delight the eye, but also bloom for a long time.

According to Julia Butkevich, Head of Fruit and Vegetable Buying at a supermarket, a good seedling is not the one that catches the eye the most, but the one that grows and grows well. To identify such a seedling, the first thing to look out for is what is not visible at first glance - the root.

„The root system of a quality plant should be strong, vigorous, moist but not too wet – free from signs of rot or mould. If the plant is in a pot, it is important to make sure that the roots are not twisted into a ring – this is usually a sign that the plant has been in the pot too long and may be struggling to establish itself“, – says Mr Butkevich.

She adds that it is a common mistake for inexperienced gardeners to choose tall seedlings, believing that this is an indication of their vigour.

„Often they are grown in a poorly lit area and are taller precisely because they have had to push harder into the light and may therefore have a harder time getting established. It is better to go for lower, but sturdy, compact seedlings," advises the Head of Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing.

The general condition of the plant is equally important, she says: the leaves should be free of discolouration and spots, „not chewed“. The stems are strong, without cracks or other damage, as even small defects can signal disease or pests. Butkevich adds that seedlings that have not overgrown or overbloomed are usually more likely to survive than those that have already bloomed, let alone those that are heavily budded.

A clear plant variety – a guarantee that you will get exactly what you expect

When choosing plants, it is also important to pay attention to their labelling. Clearly stating the plant's variety, origin, care recommendations – is not a formality, but an important piece of information that gives you an idea of what you are really buying.

„Practically all the plants we offer come directly from the growers and are certified by the European Union (EU). This means that the buyer can be sure of both the quality and the authenticity of the variety," emphasises Mr Butkevič.

Only licensed seedlings, she says, ensure that you get exactly the plant variety you want, matching the description and with defined characteristics. She points out that buying from obscure sellers always carries the risk of seedlings not having the right certificates, being of inferior quality, infested with diseases and pests, or simply having confused labels.

It is common to hear from people who love gardening that the quality of a plant is best reflected in its price – that quality plants simply cannot be cheap. Butkevičius says this is not true. The most important thing for a quality plant, she says, is a reliable supplier, a clear place of origin, detailed information with the necessary certificates and the quality of the seedling itself.

Care for spring's most popular plants

In spring, rhododendrons, pansies and geraniums, which are inexpensive and much loved by our fellow countrymen, remain among the most popular plants. For any of them to grow well, there are also some important details to remember.

„The most important thing for rhododendrons is the right soil. They grow best in acidic environments, so it's a good idea to choose a substrate that's specially adapted for them.The right soil can determine not only whether the plant grows well, but also how many flowers it will produce," she stresses.

Weeds are one of the hardiest early spring flowers, she says, but care should also be taken to ensure that they are healthy, not overgrown and with undamaged leaves. And geraniums, although they look hardy, are quite sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so it is important to choose strong, well-developed seedlings of these flowers for a smooth establishment.