Transplanting is an important part of caring for a plant. Whether you need to move it to a larger pot or outdoors, it's important to do it right. How you care for the plant before transplanting is just as important as how you treat it after the operation. The process itself is simple, but there is a trick to getting it right; if you don't do it correctly, you could kill the plant.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Transplant into a New Pot
Step 1. Water the plant a few hours before transplanting it
The time of year doesn't really matter, as you'll be keeping the plant indoors. What matters, however, is the terrain. Water the plant well, then wait an hour; this will moisten the soil and make it easier to remove the root ball.
If you are transplanting a seedling, wait for it to form a couple of "real" leaves, which are stronger than the delicate ones you see first
Step 2. Choose a vase that is one size larger than the old one
It is better to gradually increase the size of the plant's pot as it grows than to immediately place it in a huge container. Get a pot that is one size larger than the one the plant is already in. Cover the drainage hole in the new pot with a piece of mesh or a coffee filter.
- The drainage hole must be covered to ensure that the soil does not fall, but the water still manages to drain.
- If the new pot does not have a drainage hole, fill it with 3 to 5 cm of gravel.
Step 3. Fill the new pot with a few inches of soil
Use enough potting compost so that if you were to put the root ball in the pot, the top would be 2-3 cm below the rim. Do not use gardening soil.
- Garden soil often contains insects, diseases and fungi. Your plant is not used to it and as a result it can get sick or die.
- For a healthier and happier plant, look for a soil that contains equal parts of enriched soil, sand / perlite and organic matter.
- If you are transplanting a seedling, fill the pot up to 2-3 cm from the edge. Moisten the soil with warm water and wait an hour.
Step 4. Turn the pot over and gently tap the rim against a table
Cover the top of the pot with one hand, letting the plant stick out between your fingers. Turn the pot upside down, then tap it gently against the edge of a table. This should loosen the sod and slide it out of the ground and into your hand.
- Do not grab the plant by the stem to pull it out. As a last resort, break the jar.
- If you are transplanting a seedling, use a spoon to carefully extract it. Grab it by a leaf, never by the stem.
Step 5. Slide the root ball out and loosen it a little if the roots are tangled
Most of the roots create a kind of lump, this is completely normal. If the plant has been in a small pot for a long time, however, the root ball may retain the shape of the pot; in this case, press it gently with your fingers to loosen it.
- If you can't loosen the sod, use a sharp, clean knife to cut the outer sides, going about 5mm deep.
- Be sure to cut dead or rotten roots with sharp, clean scissors.
Step 6. Place the sod in the new pot, then fill it with more soil
Cover the top of the sod with a thin layer of soil. Leave 2-3 cm of space between the ground and the edge of the pot.
If you are dealing with a seedling, first make a hole in the ground, then tuck the seedling into it. Pat the soil around the seedling
Step 7. Water the plant well
The ideal would be to add some water-soluble fertilizer to the water, but make sure it is suitable for your plant. This will help her recover faster. Once you're done watering the plant, don't water it again until the top layer of soil appears dry. If you are transplanting seedlings, keep the soil moist but not soggy.
If the pot has a drainage hole, keep watering until the water comes out of the hole. If the hole isn't there, use your judgment
Step 8. Expose the plant to sunlight for the next two days
Don't put the plant in full sunlight right away or you'll shock it. Instead, gradually move it to brighter areas over the next 2-3 days. Keep the plant warm, but avoid excessive heat.
If the plant begins to wilt, water it; then cover it with cling film. Keep it in a cool place out of direct sunlight for 1-2 days
Step 9. Move the plant to a larger pot as it grows
How quickly you do this depends on how quickly the plant grows in size; some species grow faster than others. A slow-growing plant typically needs to be moved to a new pot once every 2-3 years. A fast-growing one will need to be transplanted once a year.
If you notice the roots sticking out of the drainage hole, it's time for a new pot
Method 2 of 2: Transplant the Plant Outside
Step 1. Find the date you should move the plant outside
Most plants can only be planted outdoors at certain times of the year, depending on the area you live in and the type of plant. The internet is a great place to start looking for information, but it can also often be found on seed packaging and plant care labels.
Step 2. Start hardening the plant two weeks before the transplant date
Stop giving the fertilizer two weeks before the transplant date. Cut back on watering, but don't stop. A week before the date, move the plant outside. Leave it out for an hour on the first day, two hours on the second day, and so on. Keep it out of drafts and sunlight and water it often during this week.
Always take the plant out in the morning. You'll leave her out for an extra hour each day
Step 3. Organize the transplant during the cool part of the day
The ideal would be to do this on an indoor day or when it is drizzling. Early in the morning is a good time, but early in the evening would be even better, as the plant won't have to face the heat of the day as it acclimates to its new home.
Step 4. Fill the seedbed with garden soil
Choose the area where you will move your plant. Make sure it gets enough sunlight / shade for the type of plant. Dig up the wasteland and replace it with garden compost. For even better results, mix some compost in it.
It would be better to buy the land at a shop. This way you can be sure that it is free from pests, diseases and fungi
Step 5. Dig a hole large enough to hold the plant pot
Unless the pot is made of peat or paper, you will need to remove the plant from the pot and place the sod in the hole. It's hard to tell how big the root ball is when the plant is still in the pot, but if you dig a hole the same size as the pot, you can be sure it will fit in.
Step 6. Turn the pot over and slide the sod outside
Put your hand over the pot first, so that the plant sticks out between your fingers. Carefully turn the jar upside down; if the plant does not slip into your hand, lightly tap its edge against a solid surface, such as a table or bench.
Do not grab the plant by the stem to pull it out; you could damage it
Step 7. Leave the plant in the pot if it is made of peat or paper
In this case, make cuts in the sides of the pot so that the roots can reach the fresh soil first. It would be a good idea to tear off the top 2-3 cm of the pot so that it is under the soil when you transplant it, otherwise it may absorb the water before it reaches the roots.
Step 8. Loosen the sod with your fingers if necessary
Most of the root balls are already loose, but some are so narrow that they take the shape of the pot. If this is your case, gently squeeze the sod until it loosens.
- If it is still too compact, make 3-6mm deep incisions in the sod using a clean knife.
- Skip this step if the plant is in a peat or paper pot.
Step 9. Put the sod in the hole
The top of the sod should be level with the top of the hole. If the hole is too deep, lift the plant up and add a few inches of soil. If the plant is in a peat or paper pot, simply place the entire pot in the hole.
Step 10. Fill the space around the sod with more soil and tamp it down
The hole will be a little too big for the sod, so pour dirt into the spaces between the sod and the hole. If the sod gives way and gets lower than the sod, simply add more soil around the top of the sod so that everything is on the same level. When you're done, pat the soil gently.
Step 11. Water the plant well
After this initial watering, water the plant as often as necessary. Depending on the type of plant, the frequency could be daily, weekly or when the top soil layer is dry.
For even better results add some fertilizer to the water, making sure you use the right type for the plant
Advice
- Spring is the best time to transplant most plants, including annual and perennial flowers, roses, and vegetables.
- For outdoor plants, cover the soil with a 3 to 5 cm layer of compost or mulch, which will keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing.
- If the plant is stuck in its old pot, water it through the drainage hole. Use a hose set on the strongest jet to make sure the pressure is strong enough.
