Many plant owners are struggling while moving to a new home. The reason is that different flowers have their parameters of flexibility or fragility, some have a lush crown, and others have high leaves or large flowers. In each case, the packaging conditions, the materials used for insulation, and even the type of vehicle will be different. Preparing everything you need, followed by transplanting into unbreakable pots takes time, so some flower owners turn to professionals for help, and sometimes they do this a day before moving.
How to Prepare Flowers for the Move
You should begin your preparation about 10 days in advance. If possible, transplant the plants into soft plastic containers that won’t be damaged while moving to a new house. This process is done at least one week in advance. This time is enough for the flowers to adapt. Otherwise, you will cause them additional stress. Preparations also include the following actions:
- Stop watering 3‒5 days before moving. Dry soil reduces the risk of damage to the root system from temperature fluctuations.
- Arrange boxes for transportation in about 5 days. The size should be chosen so that the plants don’t touch each other.
- In a day or two, hide all the flowers from direct exposure to the sun. You can also cover them with a cloth, so they get used to semi-darkness in the box.
On a moving day, a circle of paper is placed on top of the soil in the pot, preventing the soil from spilling out. The size of these discs is chosen for each pot individually. Even if there is room, you shouldn’t put a lot of plants in one box, as the lack of space can lead to the death of plants.
Packaging Features
Transportation of live plants by car is made with the use of special packaging. Otherwise, you risk not only breaking branches and leaves during shaking or sharp turns, but also destroying your flowers. Everything for packaging should be purchased in advance: boxes, cardboard, insulation, tape, foam, etc. The packaging of each flower is approached individually, considering its peculiarities:
- For prickly plants, scotch tape with foam is used, which is glued in small pieces to the depth of the needles. This will keep the prickles and hands intact.
- Large flowers or ornamental trees are additionally placed in a bag with the pot. If necessary, it’s tied on top with a rope for additional fixation.
- Plants with soft stems or flower stems are additionally tied to the supports inserted into the soil, wrapped with parchment paper and tape on the top.
- Small flowers are placed in a box on the bottom. A layer of paper or foam rubber is put between the pots.
- Orchids and other plants with long heavy flower stems are well transported in cardboard tubes.
When a too large pot doesn’t fit in the car or interferes with transportation, the plant is removed from the soil, and the roots are wrapped in damp moss and cloth. The branches and leaves are wrapped in a bag or heavy paper so that they are not damaged during the move.
Care of Moved Plants
Experienced florists recommend to take a set of measures to reduce the effects of the stress caused by moving:
- Unloaded boxes shouldn’t stay outside for a long time. This can lead to an unnecessary temperature drop for the root system and the whole plant.
- In summer, all green pets are immediately unpacked and released from their wrappings.
- For faster adaptation, the plants are watered with warm water.
- In the cold season, the boxes are brought into a heated room for a couple of hours so that the habituation is gradual.
- If broken branches or leaves are detected, they are removed, or sluggish ones are tied up. But it’s better to refrain from fertilizers and feedings in any case.
Any home garden is an integral decoration of the room, costing the owner years of hard work. So, don’t experiment with independent transportation of favorite plants by personal car, it’s better to order professional moving services. Experts will select an experienced driver and provide the most suitable vehicle where the flowers will feel comfortable. A microclimate is set up for them, the boxes are fixed on pallets or special crates, nets, etc. For large greenhouses, entire vans are used.