What should you inspect to ensure the health of incoming nursery stock?

To ensure the health of incoming nursery stock, it is crucial to inspect the leaves, branches, and roots. This comprehensive inspection allows you to assess the overall vigor and condition of the plant.

The leaves can reveal signs of pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies, while the branches might show structural integrity or any damage that could affect the plant's growth. Checking the roots is particularly important, as healthy roots are essential for water and nutrient uptake. Root inspection can uncover issues such as rot, disease, or pot-bound conditions which can severely impact the plant's health and establishment.

While inspecting the soil in the container is valuable, and observing the color of flowers can provide some information about the plant's health, they do not provide as comprehensive an overview of the nursery stock's condition as evaluating the leaves, branches, and roots does. Therefore, a holistic approach that includes all three parts of the plant ensures a better understanding of its health status and helps in making informed decisions about planting and care.