Plants can be picky. Even a move from one room to another can stress a plant, causing it to lose its lustre, drop its leaves or stop growing. Most Vancouver movers won’t agree to move plants even for short distance moves because of their fragility and low odds of survival. Some Vancouver movers will transport plants if you agree to sign a liability release form. The best way to move the plants you want to take with you is to pack them up and take them in the car.
Deciding To Take Or Leave
Determine what the plants mean to you.
Take into account the average temperature, number of sunny days, humidity and soil type of your new home. The greater the difference between old and new climate conditions, the bigger the risk the plants won’t survive. The best time to move plants is in the early spring or winter when they are dormant.
Weigh the odds. If risk to the plant is high, it might be better to leave it with someone who will appreciate its beauty as much as you did.
Prepare Your Plants One Month Before Move
Consult with local Vancouver florists or plant experts about how to prune your plants to make it easier when packing. Also inquire about how to protect them against infestations.
Move each plant you’re taking with you to different part of the room or another location in the house.
Repot plants into hard plastic containers. Should something happen while in transit, there is less chance of a plastic pot breaking.
Prepare Your Plants Two To Three Weeks Before Move
Closely trim plants so they will take up as little room as possible.
For large plants that might not be easily transported, take a cutting and give away or donate the plant itself. Store the cuttings in floral foam, the kind of foam used in bouquets to keep flowers fresh. Keep the foam moist until the cuttings arrive at their new destination.
Prepare Your Plants One Week before Move
Inspect plants for signs of aphids, mites and other harmful insects. You do not want to take these critters with you. Kill parasites and insects using eco-friendly alternatives to harsh pesticides. Home remedies such as spraying a solution of soapy water on the leaves and flowers are often just as effective.
Day before Moving Day
Water plants one last time before your Vancouver move.
Start gathering cardboard boxes – they should be sturdy and only slightly larger width wise than the plant that will house it, but with adequate space at the top so the plant can breathe.
Reinforce the bottom of the outside of the box with packing tape. Poke holes in the lid and sides of box to let in air during transit.
Label the boxes “Plants – Fragile.” Since these will be the last boxes to be loaded into the car, you might want to write that on the label as well.
Tips For Packing Plants
On moving day, pack each plant for maximum insulation and safety. Load them into the car last. Don’t place anything else on top of the boxes containing plants. Here are some practical packing tips to help your plants survive the journey for old house to new home.
Packing paper:Â Place crumpled packing paper in the bottom of the box. It should cushion the pot when the plant is put inside.
Around the plant:Â Create a protective tube around the plant by encircling it with packing paper, newspaper, or hard paper. It should run the height of the plant and be secured to the pot with tape. Wrap paper, towels, soft cloths, etc. around the pot before putting it in its container.
In the box: Put the plant inside the box on top of the packing paper. Fill up the spaces around the pot with paper, packing peanuts, etc. to eliminate any chance of movement and to protect it from shock and vibrations. If you’re packing several plants together, place the pots close to one another, but put crushed newspaper between them to reduce risk of harmful contact.
Close the lid: Close lids loosely to let in as much air as feasible – don’t seal boxes tightly. If you didn’t prep the boxes before you need to pack the plants, poke holes in the top and sides, just enough to let air in but not enough to compromise the container’s ability to protect what’s inside.
Need A Moving Company?
If you need a professional moving company to handle the move, please contact Real Pro Movers – profeessional moving company providing both local and long distance moving services across Alberta and British columbia.
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