By Purplepoppy
Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Hi all, I am needin some advice is possible please. I have got to dig up and move a few plants from my old home because my ex is digging the garden up next weekend. Im really worried that its the wrong time to be moving some of them because there in flower, but if i dont then they will be dug up anyway. Its there anything i can do to help them when i get them up?? I know it might sound like a silly question but i put plants in ive never had to take them out but i cant leave them to be left and killed anyway. I would try and send you some pic's but im struggling to upload anything at the minute. Thank you x
- 14 Apr, 2011
Answers
As you say, you have nothing to lose....
It does very much depend on what plants you're moving. Any chance of a list?
Some will sulk whilst others may act as if nothing has happened.
As a rule of thumb, try to get as much of the root as possible. I personally would cut all the flowers off too - if they're spring flowering their job is pretty much done anyway. By doing this the plants should put all their effort into survival instead of producing seeds.
On the more precious plants, cover your butt and take a few cutting too (if you have the space).
As I say, a list would help so that other members could give better advice.
14 Apr, 2011
I'd also use a balanced plant food (NPK in equal values) unless you're transferring them to pots with fresh compost.
14 Apr, 2011
And just to add ( perhaps stating the obvious ) that you must water them every day ( or more than once a day ) for at least one week ( or longer ) when they are in their new position to give them every chance of surviving the move.
14 Apr, 2011
Thank you all very much, i will try and get a list up in a while, im just going to go over to make a list and double check what and how many, as i have a nothing in my new garden and i've got to create some beds for them too.
14 Apr, 2011
Pruning a few leaves off when you dig them up will help keep them from going into shock. Diluted seaweed extract has proven useful in accelerating root growth, once planted.
14 Apr, 2011
When we moved from our last house, I was digging stuff up from early May until two days before we left beg Nov, all 370 plants, bulbs, shrubs and trees. I shoved everything in pots of compost. It was during the year when it was very dry feb until oct. But I watered regularly. Everything stayed in pots until the following April. I lost about 6 plants, and they went through quite a cold winter. As long as you get a good bit of soil around the rootball and a big enough pot, it should be ok.
15 Apr, 2011
Thank you tugbrethil sounds great i will use and prun some leaves back and fingers crossed. 2ndhand that gives me hope and gives me time to sort out where to put them too thank you, i was worrying that i got to get them straight in but i have so much work to do my end.
i have uploaded a couple of pic's of shrubs that i dont know the names off that i will be moving, everything else is things like roses, peonys,lavender,budlia, bleeding heart a couple of primula's, clamatis.
15 Apr, 2011
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It seems to me like you've nothing to lose PP. If you leave them they'll be dug out and thrown away anyway.
Whatis it you're trying to move?
Perhaps it's not the best time to be moving large plants but if you can take up as big a rootball as you can so that as few roots as possible are being disturbed then you should be ok.
Even though the time of year may be wrong I'd try and take a few cuttings too, just in case the main plant doesn't survive.
Good luck with the move!
14 Apr, 2011