Indoor Plants: How To Transfer Them To Your Garden: If you’re like us and you’re obsessed with indoor plants then you might have noticed a small problem – you have too many! There are begonias near the basin, fuschia in front of the telly and monstera on the mantelpiece. All of this is wonderful, of course, but if it’s starting to take up too much space then you might be thinking about a little indoor/outdoor transfer.
Here’s how to do it with ease and simplicity:
- Ensure your transfers are compatible
Flowers used in plant pots can typically survive in outdoor soil if the conditions are ideal. You should research the variety online to ensure it is compatible with temperature range, soil/water conditions and sunlight. You can still leave it in its pot for a few days or however long you want – just ensure that it can actually withstand the tough Aussie climes!
- Prep the soil
The next thing you have to do is mix a bag of garden soil or some compost if you don’t have a pre-existing garden bed. Ensure that the soil is dry enough to work with as attempting a transfer in muddy soil will create rock-hard clumps that are counterintuitive to your plans!
- Time to dig
Dig a deep and wide hole that can manage the variety’s root system. To ensure that it can manage it you can set the pot into the hole. It should be able to manage the flowers and pot whilst swallowing for plenty of room to move in the fertile soil below.
- Removing the flowers
To remove, carefully place your hand around the flower’s base at the top of the soil. Using your other hand, tip over the container so that the flowers and their soil can easily slide out in unison. You might have to give the pot a little tap to loosen up the situation but be sure not to directly pull it out as it could damage the root system (something that is disastrous for its health!).
- Loosening the root ball
Your flowers may have been fixed in one spot for a long time, in which case the roots will begin to wrap around and match the container’s form. These roots should now be able to grow throughout their surrounding soil. So, be a little tease and gently guide the root tips out using your fingers or a pencil.
- Get the roots into the ground
Don’t bury your plant. You can place a few spadefuls of dirt into the hole to provide a more substantial base if it seems like this is about to happen. Once you’ve done this you can then fill in extra loose dirt around the roots until it is properly filled before patting down the soil to remove any unwanted gaps. Soil should never be packed too tightly, but it also needs a solid foundation to support the roots!
- Continue to care for your flowers
Once you’ve done the initial steps, it’s important to give the flowers a proper water to help them recover from their big move. You can now go on to provide your regular care routine to ensure they thrive as well as they did inside.
See, it’s really quite easy. You’re already an established indoor gardener, and this is just a new step in your journey to becoming a complete home horticulturist. The most important aspect of transplanting is to be gentle. Plants are like humans and can react strongly to a big move, so be kind and gentle when removing the roots and placing them in the ground – the rest is flourishing beauty!
