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Moving Plants
Important to
check the following:
If you are traveling by air, check with the airlines about any
guidelines or regulations for transporting plants to your new destination.
Check with your moving company about
policies on moving plants; realize that many movers will not move plants unless
the move is local or delivery is scheduled within 24 hours after the pick up of
your items.
Three weeks
before you move
The plants are to be pruned for packing. It’s a good idea to know if your plants require
special attention. If you do not know,
you may want to purchases a book on your specific plant or alternatively you
can consult a florist.
One week before
your move
Kill any pests that are on the plant: you can do
this by placing your plants in a black plastic bag, along with a bug/pest
‘strip’, conventional flea collar or bug powder. Close the bag and place in a
cool area overnight, this will kill any pests on the plant or in the soil.
One day before the move
On the night
before your move, water your plants normally. Don't over water, even if you
expect warm temperatures. Over watered plants can grow fungus during transit in
warmer weather, or they can freeze in winter weather.
If
you are going to pack your plants into a box, prepare the box now. Make sure the box has an adequate amount of
holes to allow for your plants to breathe.
It is important that the plants have enough space so that the branches
or stems do not break while in transit.
Take cuttings the
day before your move, wrapping them in wet peat moss or newspaper and then put
them inside unsealed zip-lock bags (plants need air to breathe). Place the bags
in a box and secure them upright with light packing material so that the
wetness is contained. The cuttings should survive several days' travel and
should be ready to take root in your new home.
On the day of
the move
Leave
your plants as one of the last things to pack when you move. This will help
prevent them from being confined for an extended amount of time; it will also
insure that they'll be one of the first things unpacked at your new place.
Plants
will suffer from long exposure to extreme heat or cold and lack of fresh air.
Moving van temperatures can be freezing in the winter and unbearably hot in the
summer. Moving your plants yourself in
your car may be the best solution; you should try to avoid putting plants in
the trunk as it lacks air and could expose your plants to extreme temperatures. If you have no other choice, avoid leaving
them in the truck for an extended amount of time.
Parking the car
Make sure to park your car in a shaded area in the
summer and a sunny spot in the winter.
At your new
residence
Unpacking your plants is the first thing you must
do after arriving at your new residence.
Take your time unpacking them to help insure that you don’t break any
stems or branches. Let them accustom to the light gradually: don’t expose to
the sunlight immediately.
Tips & Warnings
- If you're moving out of state, be aware that
some states prohibit moving plants across state lines; check with your
local florist or nursery or with the Department of Agriculture about any
restrictions for your state.
- For a do-it-yourself move, avoid extreme
temperature changes by transporting plants in your car instead of placing
them in a van or trailer.
- Moving your plants may not be worth the
hassle, so consider donating your plants to a local nursing home or giving
them away to friends before you move.
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