Transplant Shock Plants: Effective Preventative Steps

Transplant shock plants describes different forms of stress that can affect a plant when it has been moved from its original location to another. To prevent transplant shock you can use natural growth hormones, use micronutrient solutions, monitor moisture and add sugar to help with stress, among others.

This article highlights the various steps that you should take to prevent transplant shock so stay tuned.

How Prevent Transplant Shock? Important Steps

To prevent transplant shock you can use natural growth hormone, use micronutrient solutions, supply biostimulants prior to transplanting, analyze the soils, monitor moisture, and eliminate dead parts. Pruning back the foliage and adding sugar are the last two steps.

– Use Natural Growth Hormones

When the growth of your plant is compromised, transplant shock may take a toll on it. Therefore, you can enhance the development of new growth by providing the plant with natural growth hormones. These will stimulate the growth of new leaves and roots so your beauty will be able to fight back and recover from plant transplant shock.

Naturally, plants contain substances that are called auxins, whose role is to initiate the rooting process. The most common types of auxins are Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Do not mind the big namesㅡthey are just root initiating chemicals in plants that are now being used to make commercially available growth hormones, especially IBA because its more stable than IAA. Buy these to minimize transplant shock.

If you prefer to prepare your own growth hormones at home, there are various ways through which you can achieve that. For example, you can use willow bark, which is rich in salicin, an antimicrobial agent and IBA, a natural growth hormone. Apple cider vinegar also works well because it is a natural weed killer that has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Aloe vera gel does not only contain salicin but also other great enzymes that stimulate growth.

– Use Micronutrient Solutions

Providing your plant with solutions that contain micro and macronutrients could be all you need to save your plant from transplant shock. You could consider using kelp, which is rich in various micronutrients and hormones. All you have to do is to add the kelp extract to water and dip your plant’s roots in it. You can even water your plant with this nutritious solution before you transplant it.

An extra supply of macronutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus is also of paramount importance. These nutrients play an important role in the development of new tissues on your plant. Therefore, their availability helps to expedite the rate at which your plant recovers from transplant shock.

Certain products are excellent reservoirs for the macronutrients that your plant needs. You can go for relatively cheaper alternatives like bone meal, manure, and blood meal.

– Supply Biostimulants Prior to Transplanting

The term “biostimulant” refers to any substance that stimulates a plant’s natural processes, including enhancing better nutrient uptake and usage,  as well as the ability to tolerate abiotic stress. Biostimulants also help plants to withstand water stress. In essence, biostimulants promote plant growth, even after transplanting them.

There are some scientific studies that investigated the effects of Acadian, Radifarm, and ScanPro on transplanted strawberry and tomato plants. The results from the study showed that these biostimulants promoted plant vigor in both tomatoes and strawberries. There are high chances that the biostimulants are applicable to any plant that you transplant in your vegetable garden.

There have also been reports that Triacontanol successfully lowers transplant shock, based on observations that were made on its positive effects on transplanted rice. This biostimulant was reported to exhibit antioxidant activity, thereby relieving the plant from oxidative stress.

– Minimize Damage to the Plant During the Transplantation Procedure

Transplant shock can be caused by the physical damage that your plant incurs when you move it to another location. Damaged leaves are less likely to be in a position to make enough food to keep the plant going. Similarly, if the roots are damaged, their ability to absorb nutrients is significantly compromised. As a result, the rest of the plant cannot get the nutrients that they need in aiding the plant’s recuperation.

When transplanting, handle your plants carefully to minimize any form of damage. When you dig out the root ball, do everything in your power to prevent extreme cases of root damage. Ensure that the root ball has as many roots as possible when you take it out. Ideally, let the root ball come with as much soil as practically possible, considering that soil can protect the roots from avoidable damage.

We normally recommend that you lightly the foliage of your plant with a string to keep it together. This way, the branches are less likely to interfere with the transplanting process so they might not be damaged.

– Analyze the Soil on the Plant’s New Location

Some transplant shock symptoms are due to the composition of the soil on the plant’s new location. Imagine if the soil does not contain adequate nutrients, chances are that your plant will suffer after you transplant it. This is partly why it is crucial for you to assess the stature of the soil on the new spot before the move. If the soil is malnutritioned, you can supplement its nutritional composition by adding compost.

The drainage capacity of the soil on the new spot that you select for your plant is of paramount importance. To test the extent to which the soil can drain water, dig a hole and pour water in it. If the water remains in the hole after an hour, this means that the soil is not well-draining enough. If you can’t move to another spot, you can improve the drainage properties of the soil by adding sand, perlite, or even organic matter.

When using a pot you can add holes to the bottom. This will facilitate better drainage.

There is no harm in preparing a nutrient solution that you can pour on your plant to cater for foliar feeding. This will help the plant to regain vigor in an environment whose nutritional state still needs to be properly addressed. You even dip your plant in this solution before transplanting it.

– Monitor Moisture

Your plant will need to be well hydrated throughout the transplanting procedure. This means that you should properly water plants before uprooting them. The root ball should always be moist, even after you have successfully put it in its new home. If it dries out by any chance, the roots that are in the dried region are more likely to get damaged.

When you give your plant a drink, be sure to do so thoroughly to ensure that they are saturated with water as this reduces water stress and the associated transplant shock. Please note that although your transplanted plant needs a lot of moisture, making it sit in waterlogged conditions is not an recommended option.

– Eliminate Parts That are Dead

The general assumption is that dead plant parts do not take any nutrients so they are of no harm, even if you are to leave them on the plant. On the contrary, they are also a notable burden on the roots of your plant. Therefore, you should remove dead parts from your plant, especially leaves.

Once you take off these “no-longer-necessary” parts, all nutrients will be directed toward the growth of new leaves and roots. This increases the chances that your plant will survive transplant shock, no matter how severe.

– Prune Back the Plant’s Foliage

Another effective option is to simply reduce your plant’s foliage by pruning it. This way, the nutrients that were supposed to be used by the  leaves that you remove will be redirected to the plant’s recovery endeavors. In other words, the smaller the foliage the greater the probability that your plant will conquer the transplant shock.

– Add Sugar

Adding sugar water for transplant shock can contribute to healthy plants after a transplant procedure. Sugar is needed by the microorganisms in the soil around your plant. These microorganisms will then metabolize the compost in the soil with elevated efficiency because they will be more energized. The action of the microorganisms helps to release the nutrients in the soil, in addition to improving the drainage capacity.

– Be on the Lookout for Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases can weaken your plant’s ability to fight back and recuperate after a transplanting session. Aphids, spider mites, thrips, scale, and mealybugs are some of the pests that affect many plants. To be on the safe side, always keep neem oil handy in case of an attack. Insecticidal soap and 70 percent isopropyl alcohol are other useful pesticides.

Root root is one of the major diseases that affect plants but you can avoid it by making sure that the drainage system around your plant is excellent. If you are transplanting your plant to a pot, ensure that the container of your choice has enough drainage holes that are big enough to release excess water.

– Wait, Do Not Panic!

Despite the emotions that are associated with seeing your plant suffering from transplant shock, try not to panic. Sometimes, all you need is to just calm down and wait for your plant to fight its course. Wait, do not panic!

Conclusion

Addressing transplant shock can’t be such an issue anymore, especially now that you have gone through this article. Here is a compressed diary of what we discussed:

• You can deal with transplant shock by supplementing the nutritional needs for your plants.
• Keep the plant hydrated throughout the transplantation procedure.
• Check the plant for any pests and diseases and address them early.
• Reduce the plant’s foliage and remove parts that are dead.
• Reduce damage to the roots as much as possible.

This article has just transformed you into a pro in dealing with transplant shock. If you do not believe this, just start applying what you learned and you will be surprised at how knowledgeable you have become!