Re-planting Potted Plants Into the Yard
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Planting Potted Plants
Whenever you bring new plants back after a foray to the gardening shop, or receive them via mail-order, it’s very important to remove them from the packaging immediately. Harmed plant material should be clipped off.
Place the plant in a covered, shady area and water thoroughly. Water should freely to drain from the drain holes within the pot, the potted-plant ought to really feel more substantial, or heavier, right after it has been watered.
It is a great idea, a day before planting, to allow the plants roots and soil to fully re-hydrate, and the plant to get used to this new outside environment.
Once you have made a decision, as to wherever you will place the plant in your back garden, excavate a hole at least twice as large as the size of the existing container. If the specimen is large, or going to be a tree – NOW is the time to bang in a supporting stake for tying the plant to as it gets larger.
You may wish to mix compost or potting soil together with your native earth to reduce transplant shock and improve root growth. Place enough of the mixture in the bottom of the hole that allows you to mix it in with the existing soil, by digging the two together.
The amount of soil-mix in the bottom of the hole depends largely, on how big the plant, including it’s root-ball is. You want this level of soil to allow the plant to not be planted too deeply. Be mindful of any grafts, or branching near the root ball, and never have the soil near this!
Carefully remove the plant from its pot. It may assist to tap the pot lightly, upside-down, on it’s edge, or squeeze its sides, to loosen it from the container.
Put the plant in the hole. Add or remove the soil mixture under the root ball to ensure that the top of the root ball is just below the level of the surrounding soil. Planting too deep can kill the plant!
Once you have positioned the plant to the correct level, you can start back-filling around the plant’s root-ball. Work your soil blend in firmly, not too much, with your fingers between the root ball and the surrounding hole.
When the hole is two thirds full, fill it with water – yes, FILL it. This will assist in eliminating any air bubbles trapped around the roots. The number two killer of newly planted stock is air bubbles around the roots.
Waiting until the water has dissipated, back fill with the rest of the soil, right up until you’ve reached just below the surrounding soil level, and lightly tamp, in order to leave a shallow depression around the outermost edge of the hole. This is for subsequent watering.
Complete the planting through the use of a 2″- 4″ inch covering of mulch, stretching the mulch a good 12 inches or more everywhere from the center. Good mulch choices include shredded bark, pine needles, straw, or even stones. Mulch will shield the roots from the hot sun, help keep hold of moisture content, and suppress weed growth.
When you have finished, water thoroughly. You should see the water gathering in that shallow depression you have just made. Follow up with a minimum of weekly watering, until the plant appears to have taken – leaves looking healthy and shiny, if not new leaves.
If leaves display indicators of wilting, but the earth is moist – do not panic. Some plants can take 10 days or more to start becoming established. Be patient. Replanting can be extremely traumatic and sometimes, newly planted stock will sit there and sulk for a bit.
I hope this has helped to answer some of the questions you may have had about Re-planting Potted Plants Into the Yard.
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