I'll be moving in October to a new home and would like to take a few of my favourite perennials and shrubs (peonies, hydrangeas, hostas, japanese snowball, just to name a few) with me. All of the plants are well established in their beds (around 5 years). The problem is that I'll be moving to a newly built house where planting is quite impossible (construction material will be everywhere, soil is not suitable for planting).
My question is: Is there anyway I could plant any or all of the above in containers and weather over a winter? Or should I not even consider digging them up from their existing beds unless I have a good piece of land I could transplant them into?
I guess I would rather leave my prized possessions with a new owner than to kill them all.I am new to this forum so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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Just wanted to reply back (one year later) to thank you all for all the wonderful advice I had received regarding moving my plants to my new home. My DH had a hard time digging up the one massive peony plant so he split them into two plants and this year, both are flowering (in the bud stage right now...I'll upload pics when they bloom!) in their pot. We just got lawn a few days ago (still very muddy) so it will have to be a while before I can actually plant them into the ground. We were successful in moving 2 Nikko Blue Hydrangeas as well...also in pots close to flowering. The Japanese snowball wasn't so lucky though...it dried out in the garage. Oh well, 4 out of 5 for a beginner is pretty good, if I say so myself.
If we had known we'd be this successful, we'd have dug up everything...I really miss my hostas, lily of the valleys, forget-me-nots and drumstick primulas (the last two which I started from seed). Thank you again for all your help. You guys are a great bunch!
I was referring to the new cuttings being long and floppy. I wanted to know if there's a way to get new cuttings to grow into healthy, sturdy plants. A lot of times what happens is they just develop into spindly long things without getting strong trunks. Is there any way to prevent that?
Our present ficus tree is doing great, does need a little pruning, but other than that it has a strong trunk...i just want the new cuttings to develop into a strong tree as well.
Thanks for all your help so far. :)
Could it be "weeping" as in Weeping Fig? Is it a benjamina? with shiny dark, kind of leathery leaves about 2-3 " long? If it is really big, maybe it could use a little pruning...I have seen them grow a little out of wack when they have been in the same position for a long time. Try rotating the whole pot from time to time so leaves are not all leaning towards the source of light; ie:window. These plants like to dry out between watering and need regular fertilizing. Is it going thru a growth spurt? and one more thing ...does it need to be repotted? The roots may be slowly pushing your tree up too far out of the soil. Now that it is nice out, you can check by gently pulling the whole thing out of its pot (I said outside because you will make a mess). Knock off the old dirt and see what is going on there. I would suggest maybe a deeper pot rather than trimming off roots. There is a new potting soil made by Miracle Grow that I have heard is amazing for houseplants. I think it would be a good investment for your tree. When you set the tree in its pot, try several positions until the plant feels stable and is centered, add the soil around the edges first and firm gently, then add the rest of your soil but not so much that it is alot deeper than before. You can leave a depression around its base and add more around the edges for support. If none of this seems reasonable or applies to your tree and your flopping is to do with a younger plant, you can always add a little soil and stake it for a while until it matures. I have learned that time and patience is critical and remember most plants almost always knows what they are doing. Norm
Thanks so much for all the great advice! I think I will try taking cuttings first and see how they do. Thanks also for the reminder when selling the house and moving the landscape...luckily we haven't put the house on the market yet so if my cuttings don't work, I'll exclude the plants I plan on taking with me from the sale. Thank goodness I asked!! You guys are a wonderful bunch!! I'll let you know how my cuttings turn out!
I really appreciate your help and will pass this along to my DH.
No is there a secret to getting a ficus tree with a strong trunk instead of weak plants that just flop around?
I thought my compulsion to root everything was somehow related to a strong maternal instinct. Your husband has the right idea with water...that is the easiest way but I have found that the roots developed in water ..are a little different from the roots grown for living in soil. That is the difference. The plant must then develop different roots when potted and sometimes the water roots don't last long enough for this to happen. Most leafy indoor plants don' t really care but for your tree, I would take several cuttings from new growth, where you can see a new leaf bud starting. These should be about 4-6 inches long and cut with a very sharp knife just blow a leaf node. Remove lower leaves. Have a pot (5" deep) ready with watered soil ( you can buy special rooting medium for this ) or use any good potting soil with lots of peat moss. With a pencil, poke holes in the soil. Dip the end of your cuttins into a rooting hormone (small bottle available everywhere) I have noticed there are 2 kinds available now but don't know what the diff is? Just read the container. Insert you cuttings into the holes. They can be fairly close together but remember you need the room to get them out later. Place your pot in a large clear plastic bag - I have attached those plastic 3 prong type hanging basket hooks to keep the bag from touching the cuttings and place in a warm bright spot and check every couple of days for new growth. Let out any condensation that forms (or you will be growing more than plants!) It should take about 4 -6 weeks for roots to form and you should be able to see new growth. Put them each in their own pot, out of direct sunlight and watch them take off! I like those grow lights if you don't have or have run out of window sills. I hope I have made this clear enough ...let me know Good Luck Norm
I am interested in learning about growing plants from cuttings...My hubby is always putting cuttings in water to get them to root, but some don't always survive. For example we have a ficus tree indoors that we is pretty big, but we would like another one...is there any way to start another? Can you please share your wealth of knowledge.
Thanks so much.
You cannot sell the home with landscaping and then remove the landscaping! If you have already sold your home, it is probably too late. You must specifically exclude the perennials and other plants from the real estate sale contract at the time it is signed. You should also tell your realtor that you intend to move the plants.
Moving day is bad enough without a legal battle over peonies.
I think it is hard to move existing trees. I am sure they would need a container 2-3 feet in diameter and them maybe bury the container in the ground, mulch them until next spring.
Personally I would ask a nursery where you bought them if this is possible.
The perennial plants ask about too.
I am sure it is very hard to leave plants behind that you have watched grow over the years but the perennials should be easy to take and leave in their pots until you have a place for them. I have an idea for the rest. If you are interested in taking some cuttings ( a few from each) I would be happy to give you instructions for propagating your favourite shrubs etc. Some plants are different as to whether a cutting is taken from new growth or older for best results. Usually rooting hormone is needed and soil. You have time before moving to get these started and they will be happy in pots for some time. This will save big bucks when starting your new gardens! I know because I have been replacing all my foundation plants...let me know if you are interested in starting your own "nursery". Norm