Growing Plants In A Greenhouse

Avoid Transplant Shock
Bill Hirst

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Avoid Transplant Shock

Bill Hirst


Transplant Shock



Is transplant shock is unavoidable? Not really! Transplant shock
can continue for years while unacceptable, is very common. Trees
that have had their roots cut during the transplanting must
reestablish an adequate root system before the entire plant can
begin normal growth. This can take years. During this period
"shock" is normal and you may observe stress symptoms.
Typically, field-grown threes that are B&B or machine harvested
retain on 10% of their original root system in the soil ball or
less. As a rule, the transplant shock period lasts one year for
every one inch of stem caliper. Thats why you may get better
performance with smaller trees over time than planting large
caliber trees.



Even trees that have been container grown and could retain 100%
of their root system suffer some transplant shock. These trees
are also susceptable to root girdling. They have been grown in
potting soil and now are placed into the harsher environment of
the new landscape.



Bare-root harvested trees usually have a higher percentage of
their roots dug with the plants, and often experience milder
transplant shock. But sometimes the roots are twice as long as
the height of the seedling out of the groundand thus require
root pruning. However, bare-rooted trees can dry out faster and
thus can have transplanting problems of their own. Causes of
Transplant Shock a.)improper handling, dropping root
balls,rolling balls around long distances instead of using a
cart. b.)allowing the roots to dry out. c.)transplanting the
plants to a poor quality site d.) excess removal of roots in
harvesting which hampers the plant from taking in water and
nutrients.



What You may See a.)overall growth stunted or wilt b.)early
leaf drop c.)early leaf coloring d.)marginal flowering and twig
die back



Other facors that have effects on plants in transplanting is
the new location and how different is it from where the plant
came from. If the plant came right out of a greenhouse and is
transplanted into your landscape it will not have the same
light, wind, watering,protection and drainage. Always try to buy
plants that appear to come from similar surroundings. Thats why
I always prefer field grown nursery stock. I feel that these
plants have a better survival rate because more planting
variables are not present.



You can see more gardening tips at my web site
http://www.seedlingsrus.com



About the author:


Bill has been growing trees,plants, and shrubs for 45 years and
writes on methods and ways to improve you success in improving
your landscape. Bill has the following web sites
http://www.seedlingsrus.com http://www.highlandhillfarm.com and
http://www.zone5trees.com and is located in Doylestown Pa. 20
miles north of Phila. Pa. His phone # is 215 651 8329