This is a continuation of How to Transplant Cuttings and Seedlings. Once your plants have been placed in their new home it is not uncommon, during the first week, for your plants to show signs of stress. After about a week you should start to see them take to their new environment with thriving new growth. A healthy vigorous vegetative growth phase is key to having a bountiful, successful harvest. Here are a couple things that will assist in boosting your plants into the next stage of their lives. In the short time after transplanting, your plants root system has not been fully developed so be sure not to over water. The roots need air and space to seek out moisture to uptake to the plant. When a new plant is given too much water, or the root zone is kept too wet, the roots have little or no need to seek food and water. Another important thing thing to consider when transplanting is the brightness of the sun or light source in relation to your plants. If you are growing under HID’s, raise your lights a few feet, or use a lower wattage bulb. If outside, make sure to keep your delicate plants out of the direct sunlight the first day or so, if in containers and if your transplants are in the ground, try transplanting in the late afternoon to give your plant a little more time to adjust before the heat of the next day.
Another important thing to remember is, what you feed your freshly transplanted plants is obviously very important. One general rule of thumb is to only mix your nutrients to about ½ or less of full strength. When in doubt refer to your nutrients mixing instructions printed on the label. Most will have a mix rate for transplants or early vegetative growth, and depending on what nutrient line you use; you may already be using some sort of a root enhancement product. Most of them can be used in conjunction with any fertilizer program. Rapid Start from General Hydroponics is a relatively inexpensive root stimulant that has proven to be successful. Using a root stimulating product is highly recommended during this time of the plants life, they play a big role in getting the root system healthy and established. And as we all know bigger roots equal bigger fruits.
Another thing to remember is that foliar spraying is another great way to deliver nutrients to you plants without the risk of over watering. This is a particularly good time to spray considering there aren’t any flowers or fruits that can be damaged by the contents of the spray. Cold pressed seaweed extracts like General Hydroponics Bio Weed, compost teas, and products with vitamin B1 like Botanicare’s Vitamino are great for helping reduce stress and expedite vigorous growth. B1 can also be watered in to help your plants relieve stress. Keep your plants happy and your harvest will be too…happy planting.
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