Essential Tips For Preparing Your Potted Plants For A Smooth Move

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Essential Tips For Preparing Your Potted Plants For A Smooth Move

Nov 09, 2023

Planning to relocate home soon? It is one of the most stressful tasks, especially when preparing lush-green houseplants. They are also living organisms that can get anxious by sudden environmental changes.

Moving plants to a new place can change their humidity, temperature and other factors, which can lead to stress, and they may shed leaves or even die during the process.

However, with proper care and handling, you can protect your potted plants and ensure a smooth move.

It doesn’t matter how far or near you are relocating; it is always good to prep your living plants ahead of time and maintain plant nutrients in the soil even after the relocation.

In this guide, we will explore some useful tips to help you prepare and move potted plates with minimum stress.

1. Choose the Right Time For Your Plant Relocation

According to professional removalists Sydney, moving houseplants during the dormant season or when they are less active is the ideal time. This minimises the shock of relocation and allows them to recover quickly and easily.

Make sure you understand the specific requirements of each plant and prep accordingly.

Tip: Never try to move plants in extreme weather conditions to protect them from shock and stress. So, create a proper moving timeline and pick the right time of the year.

2. Prune and Trim Your Plants

This is a crucial step when preparing your potted plants for a successful move. Prune or trim a few of their branches, dead leaves and unhealthy foliage.

Trim vines to compact the size of your plants so that you can pack and move them easily. This will allow your green leaves to save energy, which, in turn, alleviates the risk of damage while in transit.

If you are concerned about other household items, such as TVs, ACs, a dining table, etc, book expert Removalists Sydney and keep all your possessions safe throughout the journey.

3. Water Your Plants Adequately

Before re-potting your large plants, make sure you water them properly. This will keep the rootballs together and the entire plant healthy.

It is good to water your plants a day or two before the final relocation and keep them hydrated. However, overwatering can cause root rot as they don’t get enough time to dry, and this can lead to fungi growth.

So, the whole purpose is to keep the soil moist so that your plants stay hydrated throughout the process.

4. Re-pot Your Large Plants

Moving large potted plants is a back-breaking and risky task. The best thing you can do is to re-pot too heavy plants into smaller and manageable plastic containers.

Make sure to add fresh soil and remove pests and diseases during the re-potting process.

Instead of pulling the plant, turn it upside down and place your hand over the top of the pot. After that, rotate it a few inches in both directions to loosen it up and let it fall out. Use a knife to separate the plant and the pot.

If you want to keep your plants safe, do proper research and opt for a company that offers different types of moving services, including plant relocation for your peace of mind.

5. Transfer Small Plants into Shatter-Proof Pots

Re-potting smaller plants is comparatively easier than large ones. If they have a tin base, you can re-pot them into shatter-proof plastic pots for damage-free transportation. This will reduce the risk of damage and keep them intact throughout the journey.

6. Cover Your Plants with Breathable Materials

It is important to protect the foliage of your beloved plants when moving. So, cover it with breathable and lightweight materials, such as fabric or paper, to avoid damage. This will cover them from temperature fluctuation, wind and other potential conditions.

7. Use Sturdy Boxes for Packing

Take extra care when packing your potted plants for the first time by using proper packing boxes. It is good to line the bottom of packing boxes with crumpled paper or bubble wrap.

Place your plant in the box and provide extra cushioning to prevent it from shifting during the loading or transportation.

Don’t forget to make holes in your sturdy boxes after packing your plants. This will promote air circulation and prevent your potted plants from suffocation.

Things to Do on the Moving Day

After preparing your potted plants for the move, make sure you do the following tasks for extra precaution:

Keep them in a Temperate- Controlled area

Make sure you keep your plants in a shaded and temperature-controlled area of your house. This is because direct sunlight or extreme temperatures can harm their health.

Make sure you obtain Plant Health Certificate from the Department of Primary Industries if you are moving interstate. This ensures that your plants are free of diseases and potential pests.

Load Your Plants Last

Professional removalists Sydney always load your packed plants last after loading your household belongings onto the moving truck. This will reduce their time in the compact space and prevent them from damage due to shifting objects.

Make sure you unpack your plants first when you arrive at your new house and give them needed care and attention.

Wrapping Up

Moving leafy friends from one place to another can be risky. To prevent relocation shock or stress, follow the tips in this guide and prepare your potted plants for a safe and successful move.