Re: Transplanting fig and grape starts
Nan Sterman wrote:
>
> Last fall, I stuck some grape and fig cuttings in the ground. Now, they
> each have a couple of leaves on them. Question is, when can they be
> transplanted? How much top growth indicates sufficient root growth for
> transplanting and what time of year is best to minimize transplant shock?
>
Nan
As these are both deciduous species, I presume they will go dormant for
a while sometime over winter. When this occurs they will not mind a bit
if you dig them up without keeping any soil on the roots as they will be
as much asleep as a person under an anasthetic. You can inspect them at
leisure and decide whether they have enough root to be worth setting out
or whether you should put them back in the nursery bed for a bit longer.
Any deciduous woody plant can be treated in this way, even quite
well-grown young trees and large shrubs. The only thing you want to
watch is that the roots are kept moist and not left to lie about in cold
drying winds. Wrapping in damp paper or sacks or dunking in a bucket of
water will prevent damage in things waiting to be planted.
Moira (Sort of zone 9, but with maritime modifications)
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
