Top 5 Ways to Safely Transport Plants During Winte

When it comes to relocation, most homeowners have reported that the winter season is a challenging month. This is because the cold temperature and harsh weather solutions make figuring out different logistics and protecting one's things difficult. Careful analysis of these reasons shows that this is true not just for humans and different materialistic objects, but also for plants. Biologically speaking, a sudden drop in temperature can cause cellular damage, dehydration, ice formation in the plant’s veins (i.e., the xylem and phloem), dormancy and a lot more, thereby causing plants to die.  That’s why one should take extra care and precautions while transporting plants during the winter season.

According to different plant and relocation experts like Agarwal Removals in Australia, this process is difficult since the cold weather affects different plant species differently. It is for this reason that the current article intends to describe the top five ways in which one can safely transport plants during the winter month, without letting them die. Ideally speaking, such information is vital because, at the end of the day, it makes moving from one city to another simple and easy- both for humans and plants alike.

Top 5 Ways to Safely Transport Plants During Winter

To safely move/transport different indoor and outdoor plants during the winter season, one needs to adopt a specific routine and use the following strategies so that plants don't get stressed due to sudden changes.

            1.       Water Plant Sparingly

According to different experts from Agarwal Removals in Australia and other well-known removal companies, plants must be watered lightly/sparingly before they are transported. This prevents them from getting root rot and frost damage, as it is likely that the excess water will freeze inside the plant's vein during transport, thereby harming plants. Furthermore, studies have suggested that plants must be watered 2-3 days in advance so that they may acclimate to changing temperatures and surroundings while remaining hydrated. Ideally, this prevents them from getting stressed.

2.       Avoid Direct Sunlight

While sunlight is important for plants to grow, one should not place plants under direct sunlight, during and after the move because

(a) Firstly, direct sunlight can cause excess transpiration in plants, which along with the cold temperature can cause plants to get stressed or die (due to dehydration).

(b)   Secondly, sudden exposure to direct sunlight after being in a cool, protected environment can cause thermal shock. 

            3.       Wrap Plants Properly

    Thirdly, one should wrap plants properly in layers before they are being transported, so that they remain insulated. In addition, this approach helps prevent breakage of stems and roots, thereby reducing stress. According to different plant and relocation experts from Agarwal Removals in Australia, some of the best ways to do so are-

    (a)  In the case of outdoor plants, one should start by gently removing the excess soil and then securing/wrapping the plant's roots with damp newspaper or tissues. After that, one should carefully wrap plants using different types of breathable materials such as moving blankets and frost cloths, so that they don't get broken due to external injuries.

      (b)   In the case of potted plants, one should carefully insulate the pot using styrofoam, foam peanuts, or even blankets, so as to maintain a more consistent temperature and reduce the risk of frost damage during the move.

            4.       Prune Dead and Damaged Leaves

     Likewise, one should carefully trim and remove all dead and damaged leaves, stems and branches of their plants before moving them as this reduces a plant's metabolic expenditure, thereby allowing it to rest and acclimate to changing temperatures and surroundings. According to research, this reduces moisture loss and minimizes stress during cold weather transport, thereby enhancing a plant's survival rate.

               5.       Keep an Eye on The Plant’s Temperature  

      Lastly, one should closely monitor a plant's temperature using a thermometer to ensure that it remains within a safe range. Ideally, this prevents them from freezing or overheating during a move. In addition, experts from Agarwal Removals in Australia and other like-minded businesses have stated that plants should always be transported in a temperature-controlled carrier, as it helps reduce stress in plants.

     All this shows that the key to a safe plant relocation, especially during the winter move is "proper care and attention" as such measures generally lower plant stress and anxiety. Moreover such strategies also slowly activate a plant's adaptive mechanism, thereby enhancing its chance of survival. So, remember to be extra careful with your plants the next time you move during a winter month, or to a colder climate.