Digging up a tree or a bush in preparation to transplant requires several steps. Although various digging techniques may be used to excavate, whatever the method employed, it would be advisable to follow these guidelines.
For best results, there are many factors that should be considered such as: type of plant and its condition, soil quality, climate, seasonality and site accessibility.
For potted plants, all the soil should be placed directly into the new media (unless the plant is being treated for transplant stress), and so you only need the spade to dig the hole at the new site.
Check the plan before you start. Think carefully about what you are going to do with it after you have dug it up. Once you are sure that your route to the plant’s new home is free from obstructions, you can start to prepare the site before extracting the plant. Responsibility for the condition of the new site is completely yours.
Cannabis plants tend to produce huge root zones during vegetative growth in optimal growing conditions. Measure the diameter of the stem and multiply by 20 for an estimate of the underground root mass diameter. Once you have seen for yourself how big they really can be, you can use this experience the next time. The same total can also be applied to work out how deep the roots penetrate downwards.
Use the spade to dig round roughly one sixth of the estimated diameter of the roots. If possible, delicately use your hands to brush way the soil to see if you can see any roots. If you have dug through roots and can see roots on both sides of the cavity, try again farther away from the trunk until none can be found. Roots can, and do, grow unequally so keep checking that you are not severing any as you continue digging. The amputation of a few minor roots will not kill the plant though the more damaged roots there are, the greater the chances of generating stress and thus limiting the plant’s recovery.
Once you have finished digging, you are now ready to transplant and can lift the ball of roots, taking care to ensure to free any straggly roots from any obstruction that might impede a clean extraction.
Depending on the diameter of the root zone, you should be able to lift the plant yourself by placing one hand beneath the root zone and holding the stem in the other. Very large root balls could and should be wrapped if they are going to be transported large distances. Linen is ideal for this purpose.
Root pruning before transplanting is an habitual topic for debate. There are two schools of thought: leave the roots in peace and just plant them, or clean and trim them so they adapt better to their new surroundings. In certain circumstances, such as reduced transplantation, pruning may be required. Finally, remember to wash your tools before putting them away.
