The dacha season will begin very soon, and many gardeners are already ready to collect seedlings from the windowsills of houses and go to the fresh air to plant the future harvest faster. However, many of them make a number of mistakes, which in the future can greatly harm fragile seedlings. Therefore, the question arises: how to properly carry out the transportation of seedlings to the country?
Climatic conditions and the corresponding season
An important factor when transporting seedlings is temperature and weather. Some plants prefer cool weather, while others prefer warmer weather. The main task is to prevent seedlings from freezing. The optimum outdoor temperature for transportation is approximately 15 °C-25 °C. In addition, it is necessary to place the pots (if they are used) in the shade to avoid overheating.
Care before transportation
One of the main mistakes gardeners make is abundant watering and excessive feeding of seedlings before transportation. In fact, large amounts of water in leaves and stems can seriously damage plants, making them brittle. To avoid this, it is recommended to stop watering the plants 2-3 days before the move, so that they recover after the move.
Large sizes are a big problem
Seedlings should not be allowed to grow, as large plants can cause many problems: they are easily damaged in a car or other transport, can break or crumple; there is also the question of the volume of transportation, since large plants take up a lot of space compared to tiny seedlings; it should be remembered that such overgrown sprouts bear fruit later.
Quantity also matters
You don’t need to take all the seedlings with you at once. Plants, just like people, need a period of adaptation, so it is advised not to plant them immediately after arriving at the country. It is recommended to choose the number of sprouts that you can plant on the same day.
Packaging is an important stage
The life and integrity of plants depends on quality packaging. Seedling boxes must be strong enough to protect the plants in the event of a bump or fall, keeping them in shape. It is also important that the plant pots are the right size to completely hide the roots of the plants. If each plant is transported separately, use newspaper to wrap the seedlings.
So as not to lose the plants
Make sure the pots are securely fastened to prevent them from tipping over or being damaged during transport. If you are not sure of the strength of the containers, pots and newspapers in which the plants are packed, you can try to fix them in the containers. To do this, use a stick and a rope. The stick is inserted into the container with the plant at a distance of 3-4 cm, and then the rope is wound around the stem and the stick so as not to damage the seedling.
Take your time
After a successful transport, do not rush to immediately go to the garden to plant the plants as soon as possible. It is useful to give plants time to rest. Unpack the seedlings, place each pot in the shade and moisten the soil.
Some losses are inevitable
Despite all measures, a certain number of plants may be damaged during transportation. Such sprouts will not be able to develop normally or provide a sufficient number of fruits, so you should not pity them and it is better to remove them or use them for compost.