Substandard nursery stock is the #1 cause of up to 35% mortality in new plantations within two years.

Five mandatory criteria

  1. Stem height 40–60 cm.
  2. Root collar diameter ≥ 0.5 cm.
  3. Root mass fills the bag without spiralling.
  4. Dark-green leaves, no disease lesions.
  5. Plant age 8–12 months from sowing or cutting.

Immediate cull if observed

  • Brown leaf spotting (Cercospora).
  • Shrivelled collar with peeling bark — damping-off sign.
  • Crooked stem or multiple low side branches.

“Culling 5% of weak seedlings at the nursery saves 60% on later replanting costs.”
— Dr. Phạm Thị Lan, University of Agriculture and Forestry