From: billmc@microsoft.com (Bill McJohn)
Subject: Re: Transplanting at the wrong time
Date: 07 Jul 93 16:55:06 GMT

mmckenna@bnr.ca (Michael McKenna) writes:

> This past weekend I spent a whole day moving perennials from my
> neighbours backyard into mine (yes, he was there - he just doesn't
> want them anymore). Among them are delphiniums, shasta daisies,
> maltese crosses.  I'm sure this is about the WORST time of the year
> for transplanting with the flowers just coming into bloom and all
> and I was hoping what the best plan for survival of these plants is
> - should I cut off all the flowers? Any special kind of fertilizer?
> Any inforomation would be appreciated.

As usual, I can't tell where you are from your address; my advice is
geared toward Seattle, which typically has dry summers and mild, wet
weather the rest of the year.

The first order of business is to get the plants through transplant
shock.  Their main problem right now is that the damaged root systems
can't bring up water from the soil as efficiently, so you want to make
it easier for them.  Give the plants plenty of water; if it's hot and
sunny, rig up some kind of shade to reduce loss of water from the
leaves through transpiration.  You can also reduce water loss by
mulching--compost would be ideal, but bark or such would be good,
too.

The second thing you want to do is encourage root growth.  When I
transplant, I liberally amend the soil with compost (and sometimes
rotted manure) and put a generous handful of bonemeal in the planting
hole.  The amendments make it easier for roots to penetrate and grow,
and bonemeal is high in phosphorus, which is the principal nutrient
required for root growth.  Since the plants are already in the ground,
I'd sprinkle the bonemeal around them, scratch it in, water well, and
then mulch with compost.  (Another nice thing about bonemeal is that,
since it's a slow-acting organic fertilizer, you don't have to measure
it too precisely--you get a large margin of error, and the plants use
it as they need it.)

Third, watch out for pests.  Pests often seem drawn to plants that are
under stress, including transplants, and slugs especially can kill a
stressed plant in no time flat.  Do the slug patrol in the late
evening and early morning.

I don't know if removing flowers is necessary.  I suppose that if you
remove the flowers, the plants will get established more quickly; on
the other hand, the ones you list are all tough as nails and will
probably thrive no matter what you do!  I wouldn't cut the tops back,
since the leaves are manufacturing food for the roots.

Shastas and delphiniums rebloom, so if you remove the flowers now you
might get a second crop in August.  If you remove the delphiniums'
flowers, cut the flower stalk down to the ground to encourage new
stalks to form; but with daisies, just remove the flowers.

In general, although this may not be the ideal time for transplanting,
if you give the plants a little extra care they should come through
just fine.