Traveling With Plants
1) Is it safe to clip my plant before I move? He is very long and viney and I think he would be easier to transport if he was smaller, is there any way to do this safely?
2) Any tips for car travel with plants, other than taking him out to give him air to breathe whenever we stop?
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Thanks so much!
Lindsey from Montreal, Quebec
A: Lindsey,
First of all, if you're coming into the U.S. from Canada, make sure you call ahead about transporting plants across the border. Some states in the U.S., like California and Florida, have strict rules about transporting plants across state lines.
If your Philodendron is in a ceramic or clay pot, you might consider temporarily transplanting it to something less easily broken. Ideally this should be done as far out from the date of your trip as possible. Pruning back some of the foliage will definitely be a space saver in the car and prevent your plant from damage. I've never seen a philodendron that didn't bounce back from an occasional pruning. Just use a sharp knife or shears and cut it back to the desired size. Before you leave, water your plant as normal and check to make sure you're not bringing any pests along for the ride.
You can place you plant in a sturdy cardboard box for during transport, just don't pack anything on top of it. Cut holes in the side of the box for air circulation and surround the plant with damp newspaper to help keep it cool. If the top of the box is closed, make sure you open it up for a few hours a day (lunch breaks and rest stops) so your plant has access to some light. Or, if you're stopping at hotels, leave the plant in the hotel bathroom overnight with the light on. While on the road, water it as necessary if it appears to be getting dry and try to keep the plant from getting over heated-above all, don't put your plant in the truck! When you arrive to your destination, put the plant in an area where you don't have to disturb it for a while and reintroduce it to direct sunlight gradually.
Drive Safely!
Ellen
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