What is a common method to assess plant health in a nursery?

Evaluating leaf color and structure is a robust method for assessing plant health in a nursery. Leaves serve as critical indicators of a plant's overall condition, providing insight into its nutritional status, moisture levels, and presence of diseases or pests. Healthy leaves typically exhibit vibrant color, appropriate texture, and a lack of discoloration or spots, which can indicate issues such as nutrient deficiencies or viral infections.

Leaf structure, including size and shape, can also reveal if a plant is growing optimally. For instance, smaller leaves may suggest environmental stress or inadequate resources, while deformed leaves could point to pest damage or disease. Overall, observing leaf color and structure allows nursery professionals to make informed decisions regarding care practices and interventions for the plants.

While checking for insect presence is important, it focuses only on one aspect of plant health. Similarly, assessing flower production and counting the number of stems can provide some information, but they are less comprehensive compared to evaluating the condition of the leaves, which directly affects the plant's ability to photosynthesize and thrive.