How to Cure Transplant Shock

Transplant shock is almost guaranteed to happen when we move a plant from one location to another. Some plants strike for a few days while other might be affected for another growing season. Preventing transplant shock is almost impossible but helping cure the plant of it is not. Here are some easy steps that you can do to help a plant bounce back from transplant shock.

Step 1 - Adding Sugar

Adding diluted sugar water is a great way to induce the roots to performing correctly. It is not known why this helps some plants and not others but it will not hurt the plant either way. So boil a couple cups of water and dilute a few tablespoons of water in it. Let the mixture cool and apply to the plant roots just before or after transplant.

Step 2 - Trim the Plant Back

You can help the plant save more energy for fixing the roots by pruning the plant or tree before transplant. Trim about one third of the plant back to allow for that energy to be used elsewhere.
Do not trim too much or the plant will have two injuries to worry about and it might make the shock worse.

Step 3 - Don’t Damage It

When you are digging up the tree to be transplanted, do as little damage to the root ball and plant as necessary. It is almost impossible to completely avoid damaging it but take as much care as possible to ensure that you do not disturb the roots more than needed. Do not shake the tree, do not knock the roots and do not cut any roots that you are able to pull up with the plant. Doing so might send the plant into a shock it will not be able to recover from.

Step 4 - Keep the Roots Moist

If the root ball is allowed to dry out the chance of permanent transplant shock setting in is more imminent. Control the root ball from drying out by wrapping the ball in wet burlap cloth and spray the plant every once and a while for the duration of its time not in the ground.

Step 5 - Water It

Water a transplanted plant very well after it is first re-planted. It will help to avoid transplant shock and also settle the plant and roots into its new home by pulling the roots down and spreading them out.

There are only really these 5 steps to curing and trying to prevent transplant shock. The plant should perk up in a couple of days. If it does not then continue to take care of the plant and maybe add a few more nutrients and another drink of sugar water. Time will tell if the shock will dissipate or if the plant will not take. However if you take the precautions listed than you will most likely have your plant back to normal within a couple of weeks.