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Transplanting tantamounts to uprooting
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Shifting plants is a delicate proposition than shifting homes, writes Swathi. V.
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Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam
Handle with care: Shifting plants is not about just carrying them from one place to another; nor are all plants transplantable. Everything from soil to water has to be ‘right’ for their survival.
With city centres as well as peripheries blooming with infinite number of nurseries , there is hardly any dearth of saplings for a budding gardener to populate his/her patch of garden. However, a lingering suspicion about the veracity of commercial nurseries is bound to hover in any mind. And also, seasoned gardeners prefer to grow a few varieties of seasonal vegetable and flower-bearing plants exclusively with their personal super
vision as they are not very happy with the methods employed by the nurseries.
Transplanting for plants is equivalent to shifting home for humans. In fact it is much more than just shifting home as the plants will have to go through a difficult phase adjusting to new soil and climate.
Observing a few tips in transplanting will go a long way in ensuring a smooth transition for the plant.
Ideal place
“Normally, nurseries are ideal for seeds which are tiny and numerous. They need to be transplanted once they take roots and start growing so as to avoid pressure and competition for space and nutrients,” says B. R. Kurdukar from Agri-Horticultural Society.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that not all plants are transplantable. Some need other methods such as grafting, budding, layering, or sowing directly. Balsam, Alcea Rosea, Amaranthus Tricolor, Dianthus and Salvia are a few varieties among flowering plants which need to be grown in nurseries while among vegetables, they are the likes of tomato and brinjal.
The month of May is ideal for the preparation of nursery for the kharif season, Dr. Kurdukar says. Raised beds should be prepared up to a height of six inches above the ground level with friable soil.
Organic compost or vermi compost may be added for good results. One should not dig too deep while planting the nursery. Soil may be raked up by a few millimetres and closed after sowing the seeds. Soil should be checked for sufficient aeration and application of organic insecticides such as neem cake is advisable as the seeds are open for ants and other insects.
One should also be careful while watering because too much of it may rot the seed.
“Delicate watering through rose cans is desirable. Hoses are a strict no-no,” says Dr. Kurdukar.
First showers
Most saplings in the nursery will be ready for transplanting within a month. The ideal time will be after the initial rains as water retention will be better during the season.
Watering the bed a day before transplanting will ensure that the sapling is well hydrated.
Evening is the best time of the day to transplant so that the plant will not become dehydrated during that time. The plant should be pulled out delicately so that no damage is done to the roots and transplanted immediately to avoid desiccation.
The site should also be watered well. Another round of nursery beds may be prepared one month before the season ends, advises Dr. Kurdukar.
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