Monday, March 31, 2008

Another allegory


In agriculture and gardening, transplanting is the technique of moving a plant from one location to another. Most often this takes the form of starting a plant from seed in optimal conditions, such as in a greenhouse or protected nursery bed, then replanting it in another, usually outdoor, growing location. Botanical transplants are used infrequently and carefully because they carry with them a significant risk of killing the plant.

Transplanting has a variety of applications, including:

  • extending the growing season by starting plants indoors, before outdoor conditions are favorable;
  • protecting young plants from diseases and pests until they are sufficiently established
  • avoiding germination problems by setting out seedlings instead of direct seeding.
Different species and varieties react differently to transplanting; for some, it is not recommended. In all cases, avoiding transplant shock is the principal concern. Plants raised in protected conditions usually need a period of acclimatization, known as hardening off. Also, root disturbance should be minimized. The stage of growth at which transplanting takes place, the weather conditions during transplanting, and treatment immediately after transplanting are other important factors.

What this article doesn't say is that some plants will not grow if they cannot be transplanted. You ever see sheets of plants from the plant store that wither and die? They never got a new home. They outgrew their little plastic containers, they ate up all of their nutrients.

Sometimes when you feel like you are floating in the middle of nowhere, perhaps God has pulled you out of your dinky pot for a reason. Perhaps he is going to be planting you in better soil, in a bigger container...

God wants you to grow, God wants you to produce, and He knows you can't do that where you are. Yes, it is scary... Trust that the Master Gardener knows what He is doing, allowing you to grow and bear more fruit.

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