If the leaves of the plants fall off after transplanting, they are stressed. The reason may be overwatering, submergence, root damage or lack of sunlight. It can also be due to poor soil, too much heat, or a lack of growing space. We have written down several details that will help you understand what is causing this problem. And how you can fix it so that the leaves of the plant are healthy again.
We receive plants to transplant into our garden from friends and family. Or we buy them from a nursery or garden center. But sometimes we see that the leaves are starting to fall, we go to the reasons and the solutions.
Contents
When to transplant a plant
Early spring or late fall are the best times to repot using almost any technique.
Avoid transplanting plants on summer days. Do this in the late afternoon, when the temperature is not extremely hot and the wind is calm.
Irrigation after transplantation
If the plant does not receive the necessary water, the leaves will begin to fall. But this is a temporary problem and your plant’s leaves will recover once you water it well.
To avoid problems, it is best to irrigate with plenty of water two days before transplanting, and after that irrigate with little water.
I advise you to check the soil moisture every morning when you inspect the plant. Stick your finger in the dirt and check your fingertip. If there is no soil attached, this is a sign that you need to water the plant.
transplant shock
Another common problem when transplanting is the stress placed on the plant due to transplant shock. This can cause the leaves of the plant to fall off.
The plants you buy from a nursery or garden center are grown in a protected environment. They were often grown indoors.
These plants are not accustomed to outdoor conditions. Therefore, if you try to transplant them into your garden, they may struggle to adapt.
You can avoid this problem of transplant shock by hardening off the plant before moving it to your garden.
The easiest way to do this is to keep the plant outside for a few hours each day for a week.
Be sure to keep the plant out of direct sunlight, wind, rain, and heat when placing it outdoors. After a week, your plant will be ready to be transplanted into the garden.
root damage
It is quite easy to damage the roots when transplanting. You can pull the plant out of the container it came in and lose some roots.
This will stress the plant and the lack of roots can also cause less moisture reaching the leaves. As a result, the leaves will begin to fall.
You have to be very careful when transplanting. You can gently squeeze the entire root ball out of the container. If that doesn’t work, you may need to open the container so the roots aren’t damaged.
When you buy the plant from the nursery, take it out of the container and check the roots. If the plant is root-bound in the container, you should not pick it.
lack of sun
By planting a plant in a place that does not get enough sun, the leaves will start to fall off.
You should choose the location of the garden according to the needs of the plant. If the plant needs full sun, you should transplant it to a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight.
If it needs sun or partial shade, choose a spot in the garden shaded by a wall, fence or tall plants.
To solve this problem, you can remove the plant and move it to a suitable place in your garden.
lack of nutrients
If the plant does not receive the necessary nutrients after a transplant, it may show the effect of stress by falling leaves.
You want to make sure your garden soil has the right amount of organic matter. It is best to add compost when preparing the soil for your plant.
Once you have transplanted it, you need to add the necessary organic compost to the soil, but be sure to wait a few days before doing so.
It is not advisable to add the nutrients as soon as it is transplanted as this can add more stress to the plant which already has a new environment.
When using compost, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It will give you details on how much fertilizer to use and how often.
Other plants are tougher and need more desert conditions, where the soil has more sand and the plant has to go further to find nutrients and moisture.
If you have already transplanted the plant and are having this problem, you can amend the soil according to the needs of the plant.
If the soil contains too much clay or sand, you can add organic compost to it which will gradually improve the texture of the soil.
Look: How to make liquid and organic fertilizers and fertilizers.
too much heat
If your plant gets too hot when you transplant it to the garden, the leaves will try to protect themselves. As a result, they may begin to roll up and fall off.
This is a temporary problem and the leaves will recover when the temperature returns to normal.
To avoid this problem, the ideal is to carry out the transplant in the afternoon, when the sun no longer shines directly on the place of cultivation, if you do it in very hot hours, it will be inevitable that the leaves will fall.
If you are growing the plant in a container, you can move it to a shady spot at least in the afternoon.
Heat can dry out the soil faster, so you can cover the soil with mulch. The mulch will insulate the soil and prevent the rapid loss of moisture.
You can use a layer of organic matter like grass clippings, dry leaves, straw, or wood chips as mulch.
Plagues and diseases
You should check the plant well before bringing it home for transplanting. Make sure there are no insects flying around the plant, as this is a bad sign.
Check all parts of the plant, including the tops and bottoms of the leaves. Make sure there are no pests or signs of disease on the foliage. Make sure the leaves are dark and vibrant and not light which indicates a sign of stress.
Take the plant out of the container and check the roots for any signs of rot or damage. Make sure the plant is not root bound because it has outgrown the pot.
Remove the top growth from the plant
It may also be interesting to read: How to recover a plant that is drying out.
If you are moving a bush, remove any extra foliage from the plant. This will reduce stress, moisture loss, and additional resources the plant needs to recover from the shock. Remove dead parts, such as dry branches, stems and leaves.
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