Plants seem amenable enough. They barely move and they
certainly don't audibly complain about anything. But they're actually very
sensitive beings. And they will get as upset as your cat or dog about moving to a new locale -- especially
when moving involves spending a lot of time in a vehicle that's not temperature
controlled.
What kinds of things should you consider when moving
plants? First of all, you may not be able to bring the plant at all if it's
outlawed in your new area. And if your plant is legal to make the move, you
need to keep it moist and make sure the temperature of the vehicle is
reasonable. What else should you do to make your plant's trip a comfortable
one?
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| What kinds of things should you consider when moving plants to a new home? |
5. Check the
Laws on Moving Plants
Believe it or not, if you're moving to another state,
federal and state laws may prohibit you from bringing a certain type of plant
with you. In certain areas, plants may have to be quarantined or inspected to
be certified that they are pest-free. Some states prohibit bringing any plants
into the state. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't bring your
plants with you to your new home, you'll have to give them up. You can give
them to a friend or donate them to a willing institution. Or, you can even sell
them. People have been known to buy plants off CraigsList.
4. Don't
Expect Movers to Water Your Plants
If your plants are acceptable where you're moving, then
you can let the movers move them. Professional moving companies are usually
willing to move houseplants. But don't expect professional moving personnel to
water your plants or give them any special care. They'll just pile them into
the truck and leave them be. So, if you're moving a long distance and will be
on the road for a long time, you might want to put the plants in your own
vehicle. You can look after the plants, making sure they're kept upright and
remain in a relatively temperature-controlled vehicle. More about that on the
next page.
3. Control
the Temperature
Most indoor houseplants cannot survive in temperatures
below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 1.1 degrees Celsius or higher than 100
degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) for more than an hour, particularly
if they are not wrapped. So if you are moving a long distance, pack plants in
cartons and try to make sure they are moved in a heated vehicle and are not
left in an unheated car or
moving van overnight. That may mean you need to take the plants into the hotel
room with your overnight if you're making a long car ride to get to your new
home.
2. Prepare
the Plants for Transport
Make sure plants are moist when they are packed for
moving. They can usually survive for about 10 days without water. So you
probably won't need to worry about watering them during the trip. If your
plants are in ceramic or clay pots, those are heavy to carry and they're also
breakable. So, it's a good idea to transplant your plants to plastic pots before the move. But even just moving
them from one pot to another can be traumatic. So do this a couple of weeks
before your move. That way the plant will get used to its new pot before it's
put on the road.
1. Take
Cuttings from Plants You Leave Behind
If you can't move your plants because of space
limitations, quirky laws or simply because you don't think they'll survive the
trip, then consider taking cuttings from a few of your favorite plants with
you. This is an especially nice thing to do with the plants in your yard that
you don't want to dig out of the ground. To ensure sound transport, you can
keep the cuttings in a plastic bag with damp vermiculite or peat moss.
When you get to your new place, simply plant the cuttings in a new pot or in
the yard.
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