Moving Plants 

Transplanting is a stressful time for any plant or tree. Root systems consist of branching roots covered in delicate microscopic 'hairs' through which most absorption of water and nutrients takes place. These tiny hairs are easily damaged by the physical disturbance during transplanting and desiccation if the roots are allowed to dry out.

Damaged roots are at risk from fungi, bacteria and viruses that are able to gain entry to the root system through the damaged areas. Common diseases that enter through damaged root systems include Phytophthora and Pythium root rot. Phytophthora fungi are pathogenic species that can cause dieback in many different plants and are pests of major economic importance. For example, it was one of this group of fungi that caused the great potato famine in Ireland. It is also a Phytophthora that is causing Kauri dieback and damaging and killing many of the iconic trees of the North Island of New Zealand.

PLANThealth Buxus Blight Buster thiram assists in taking the shock out of transplanting and related operations. It is a fungicide for the control of Phytophthora and other fungal diseases of roots. Use on nursery stock, seedlings and cuttings during propagation, ornamentals and non-bearing fruit crops during most transplanting operations.

Follow this advice and you will reduce the stress caused to your plants during transplanting:

• Before transplanting ensure the plant/s are well watered and not under drought stress. It is best to water at least a day before moving the plant.
• Avoid transplanting on hot, dry or windy days. Cool mornings or evenings are best. Autumn is the best time of year to transplant most trees, shrubs, and other plants.
• Make sure the new position will suit the plant.
• Dig the hole where the plant is to be planted well before digging it up from its current position. Make sure the hole is bigger than the roots of the plant.
• Dig some planting compost, manure or similar into the bottom of the hole.
• Treat the hole withPLANThealth Buxus Blight Buster
• Place a clean sheet of plastic or other material beside the plant.
• Dig the plant up, taking as much of the root system as possible. Try not to damage roots. Remember roots have microscopic hairs that are easily damaged. These hairs are where water and nutrients are absorbed by the plant.
• Place the plant on the sheet for carrying to the new hole with least damage and losing least soil during the move. If the plant will not be planted within an hour ensure its roots are kept moist and wrapped in the sheet.
• Plant the plant in its new hole as soon as possible.
• Fill the hole with dug-out soil or compost plus Gro-Sure Planting Magic and firmly pack in all around the root system. Water well before completely filling and again after filling.
• Gro-Sure Planting Magic provides nutrients, water retention granules, soil conditioner and organic matter for promoting the establishment of strong roots.
• Spray the plant with a systemic fungicide and insecticide PLANThealth Spectrum to reduce risk of disease allowed to affect the plant due to transplanting stress.

If you follow these simple pieces of advice you will have greater success with your transplanting and see a rapid healthy growth of your transplanted plants.

David Brittain
Kiwicare