Most of the gardeners never faced with the necessity to move large potted plants across the country. However, even a little trip to the next state can be ended with the big unpleasant surprise. The move plants, in general, includes the following:
- preparing and packing;
- loading;
- inspection and support of the climate and plants conditions on the way;
- compliance with USDA Regulations.
As you may see, this is not so easy as could seem at first sight. To avoid mistakes most inexperienced gardeners do when transport of plants for a long distance moving we collected these tips.
Large Potted Plants Preparation For Moving
Try to allocate as much time as you can. The preparation to pack plants for moving is a very important and painstaking work. Here the list of recommendations:
- Change the ceramic pots which can easily break to the plastic pots.
- Wrap and pack your ceramic pots to take them separately.
- Inspect your plants and remove any insects or any damage and take the appropriate measures to treat them.
- Watering your plants no later than a day before moving to avoid increasing weight if you will watering them right before loading.
- Measure your plants and find the appropriate boxes for moving large potted plants. One box for one plant.
- Put them in a box. Take care to make holes in the tops and sides of the box to allow some light to reach your plant.
- If your planning to moving houseplants cross country and your plant is too large with many branches, stems, or leaves, it would be a wise step to cover plastic wrap to make plant easier to load and move. Don't forget to make holes into plastic wrap.
Loading Plants
Obviously, you should prepare the large potted plant mover for the transportation to the rented truck. Usually, your moving company has various transportation and loading equipment and it won't be troubling to ask them to use it for the transportation and loading. But if you decided to load your truck by your own make sure to you will find the appropriate one.
Load your plants securely in the last turn so they won't tip over, and have plenty of fresh air. This is really important. The loading in the last turn is the wise decision because for that reason they can be the first unloaded.
Inspection And Support
You have to inspect the environmental conditions in the moving truck. Stop periodically and check the check the temperature, moisture level. Keep your plants out of the sun. Protect them from cold and windy conditions in the winter.
Water your plants only in extremely dry conditions. Otherwise, you should wait for the arriving for the new home.
USDA Regulations
The moving with plants across country has their own specific features. You should ensure that your plants are legalized to cross state lines.
There a lot of states requiring that all potted plants have fresh, sterile potting soil.
- They are subjecting plants to inspections and/or requiring a certificate that the inspection was done.
- They are subjecting plants to a quarantine period.
- They are able to confiscate the plants at borders.
- They are able to ban some plants altogether.
To be sure that you do not violate any federal law you have to read USDA Regulations. The Regulations have a jurisdiction under all territory of the United States and defined the laws for transporting plants no matter where you’re moving them in the U.S.
When you travel to the next state you can just check the guidelines of the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Natural Resources for each state you planning to pass.
As You May See, The Long Distance Moving With Large Potted Plants Is Not A Piece Of Cake.
Needless to say that the request for the packing services of the professional moving companies would greatly make your life easier. Especially if your plants are large, bulky and heavy.
Also, there are a lot of the experienced companies which are licensed and have the special equipment to load and relocate plants but you should know what things you have to pay special attention. Anyway, these are your plants.