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If you plan on moving house, you want to make sure that you are taking care of your plants. But, sometimes, moving to a new environment can take a toll on your plants. So, how long does it take for plants to recover from transplanting?
How long it takes for your plants to recover from a move will often depend on the species and environment you are moving into. Sometimes, they will only droop for a few weeks. If you have an established tree, it might take them a few years to acclimate properly.
When introducing your plant to its new home, it’s crucial to go a little slower. This will give it enough time to get accustomed to its new environment, so it will be able to thrive. Keep reading to learn more about this process and how it works.
Why Does Transport Shock Occur?
Let’s start by addressing one of the most critical issues. Why does transport shock occur? Usually, it isn’t from the process of being in the car. However, it’s important to take some steps to protect them during the trip. We’ll discuss some tips you can use to do this a little later.
The issue often stems from being soil and climatic conditions. This can be a shock for the plant. It won’t be used to this new environment. As a result, it can find it challenging to adapt.
Identifying Transplant Shock
There are a few signs that your plant is starting to struggle with the conditions that it has been placed into. The most common issue is that they will begin to wilt or their growth will appear stunted. Often, this will occur shortly after you have put them into the soil in their new environment.
At other times, the shock won’t be as dramatic. It will appear that the plant has entered a period of dormancy. It won’t be wilting, but it won’t be growing as strongly as it usually would.
How Long Does it Take Plants to Recover From Being Transported?
How long it takes for your plants to stop wilting will depend on the species. In some cases, it will start to grow again within a few weeks. However, for some tree species, it will be a few years before they can overcome the initial shock of being transported.
What Affects How Long it Takes Plants to Recover?
As we can see, there is a substantial difference in the amount of time it takes for a plant to recover from transplant shock. These are some of the elements that will determine how long it takes for them to adapt to their new environment.
- Age
- Species
- How healthy they were before the move
- How different the new environment is
- The way they were cared for during the journey
- How you acclimate them to the new environment
You shouldn’t expect all your plants to start to recover from transplant shock at the same time. It will often be staggered across the garden.
If the environmental conditions are too harsh, they might not grow in their new location. But, if the climate is similar to your old location, they should adapt to their new environment. It will just take a while.
Tips for Transporting Plants Safely
Moving can take an enormous toll on your plants. They will be required to spend a lot of time in a hot car or trailer. Plus, there is the risk that the branches will break. This stress can often cause the leaves to start to wilt. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Preparing the Plants for the Move
The key to moving plants successfully is preparing them properly. This will allow them to deal with the stress that can come from moving them. Here are some of the things you need to do:
- Look at the pots. If you have houseplants, look at the pots that they are being stored in. You will need to get something that will be shatterproof, in case they are accidentally dropped on the journey. If they aren’t, you’ll need to move them to their new pot three weeks
before the move. This gives them plenty of time to adjust. - Prune them back. Getting rid of any dead branches is a key part of caring for your plants. Plus, it will make them easier for you to maneuver on the move.
- Water. It’s best to do this a few days before you start moving them. You don’t want to get the soil soaking wet. But it should be damp on the day you are making the move. This will stop your plants from drying out in a hot car.
- Dig out the plant. If you have an established plant that you want to move, you’ll need to dig it out of the garden. Depending on how big it is you might be able to bare the roots. This is where you wash all the dirt off the roots, them wrap them in plastic. They should be able to stay in this state for a few days, you can then plant them out when you arrive.
If you have a giant plant, you will need to lift it out of the soil and put it into a pot for the journey. As you are doing this, try to keep as much of the root system intact as you can.
Do I Need to Water after Repotting?
If you need to move your plants to a new pot, it can cause them to experience some shock. This will cause them to start wilting. It’s best to wait for a week before you give them any water. This will ensure that the damage to the roots has healed up.
On the Day of the Move
Once you have prepared your plants, it’s time to move them to their new home. This is pretty simple. You will need to make sure that the pots are appropriately packed. You don’t want them tipping over. If you put them into a box, don’t forget to cut some holes to allow airflow.
Remember cars can get very hot if left in the sun. Because of this, if you need to leave them, crack open a window. If it is a hot day, you can give them a few mist sprays along the way to stop them from drying out.
Getting Plants Used to Their New Environment
Once you have arrived at your new home, it’s time to start preparing your plants for their new environment. If you do this correctly, you should be able to reduce transplant shock. Here are some of the tips you can use:
- Keep roots moist and intact. As much as possible, you should try to leave the root ball untouched. The more you disturb it, the longer it will take to recover from this damage.
- Add a little sugar to the water. This is an old tip in the gardening world. It gives the plants the nutrients they need, helping to boost growth.
- Moving them slowly. If you have potted plants, you might want to introduce them to their new environmental conditions slowly. Leave them outside for a few hours a day. Then, bring them inside to a more familiar temperature.
- Spray them with water. If you are moving them into a warmer environment, it’s a good idea to spray the leaves during the hottest part of the day. This will ensure that your plants don’t dry out.
Final Thoughts
Moving your plants to a new home can take an enormous toll on them. Because of this, you might find that they are dropping when you plant them in your garden. In some species, this period of dormancy can last for a few months to years. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be the case. If you prepare them for the move and give them a little time to acclimate to their environment, they should start growing normally.