 Transplanting
When our neighbor Mr. O decided to erect an apartment building in the empty lot next door, government regulations required him to tear down the old wall between our properties and build a new one. The construction took place in midsummer and we had to move everything planted along the wall, including the bamboo that had finally begun to flourish after much careful nurturing. We took a crash course in transplanting, also receiving advice from Mr. O, who used to work for a landscaping company.We immediately learned that bamboo does not like to be moved in mid-July - it only took a couple days in the hot sun before it had wilted. Gardening books provide information about when various plants can ordinarily be transplanted safely, but if circumstances require that transplanting be done out of season, it's best to choose an overcast day and even better to wait until just before a good rainstorm, if possible. This helps reduce shock. Mr. O showed us that removing a deciduous tree's leaves before transplanting also helps speed the recovery process by eliminating the need for the tree to supply the leaves with water. Use a pitchfork, not a spade, digging in a wide circle around the plant's base to prevent damage to the roots. Water the new hole well before moving the plant and water the plant daily for at least a week until the roots begin to take. Our area is extremely windy and experience has taught us that transplanted trees need to be staked until their roots have spread, or the wind just keeps knocking them over. When transferring flower or vegetable seedlings to the garden, water the bed and the plants well before planting. Use a hand fork to gently lift and move the seedlings to the bed, taking care not to damage the roots. If the seedling is pot-bound, tap the bottom of the pot gently until the plant slides out. Water well and continue to water often until the plants begin to perk up again. Growing seedlings in peat pots is a good way to eliminate transplanting shock because the plants do not need to be removed from the pot for planting. Our garden was a tangled jungle when we first moved in. As we cleaned up the mess and reorganized we were forced to move many plants out of season due to space constraints. While we have learned that most plants will eventually recover from the shock of transplanting, some do not. The best course is to move plants at the right time of year. |