Tree-planting campaign: Expert tasks citizens on adequate watering of plants

Ilori gave the advice while speaking with reporters in Osogbo on efforts to ensure that beneficiaries of the state government’s tree-planting programme remained committed to the campaign.It would be recalled that school heads, farmers and individuals had benefited from the programme.Ilori said it had become imperative for beneficiaries of the programme to ensure constant watering […]

Ilori gave the advice while speaking with reporters in Osogbo on efforts to ensure that beneficiaries of the state government’s tree-planting programme remained committed to the campaign.
It would be recalled that school heads, farmers and individuals had benefited from the programme.
Ilori said it had become imperative for beneficiaries of the programme to ensure constant watering of ornamental trees, flowers and shrubs.
“The teak, gmelina, ornamental flowers and crawlers that were distributed to the citizens have been scientifically raised in nurseries to ensure low mortality.
“However, it is still necessary for beneficiaries to wet the plants constantly to obtain the best results.
“The current intermittent cold in the face of sunny afternoon requires careful digging of holes round the plants or along the beds to allow water to sink through,’’ he said.
The governor’s aide disclosed that ornamental trees and flowers did not need fertiliser because of their ability to acquire nutrients directly from the sun.
“They should be watered before the sun rises in the morning and in the evening when the intensity of the sun has gone down.’’
Ilori advised horticulturists, fruit, economic and non-economic farmers and other categories of planters to clear or spot-hoe the hedges of their plantations.
This, according to him, will guard the trees against external attack from animals or raging fire during the dry season. (NAN)