Transplanting forsythias

11 years ago

Help! We need to relocate 7 med size forsythia shrubs. Not sure how old the plants are and they are alive but not thriving. Due to a septic issue we need to move them now. Flowers are gone. It would be easier to transplant if they were pruned and shorter but would pruning and transplanting be too much shock for the plants? I usually use a rooting hormone with transplanting plants but does the same apply to such shrubs? Would appreciate other gardeners insights. Thanks

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

11 years ago

They need all that foliar growth to support the root system, which will no doubt be damaged by the transplant - just very hard to avoid. So no pruning if you can possibly avoid it.

Water them well before moving (like the night before). Pick a day that is overcast or cloudy and do it early in the day. Dig up the largest rootball you can manage. If large shrubs, the easiest method is to just slide them onto a tarp and drag them to their new location. Prepare the new location before digging up the shrubs and get them back in the ground ASAP. You can use a root stimulator if you like but I've never seen evidence that it actually helps. Watering will be the crucial element. Keep the soil evenly moist.

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Comments (6)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
You say they are alive but not thriving. Maybe it's time to cut some of the best bits and start some new plants from cuttings as an insurance policy.
borno thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
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borno
Original Author
11 years ago
Both approaches are great ideas, thank you
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
Due to a septic issue we need to move them now.

==>>> you do.. what you need to do ... when you need to do it ... so??? .. do it ..

you can barley kill the things.. so dont worry about it..

massacre them into a shape or form.. that makes the project easy to do ...

Fs root in a glass of water.. in about 40 minutes ... if only one lives... you can make more.. rather easily ...

and to be a bit zen about it ... i have 5 Fs on my 5 acres ... and you have 7 on a lot.. were you are planting close to your septic ... there is a whole word of flowering shrubs out there ... the zen part... so what if you lose a couple.. plant something else.. so you can get a more diverse flower show in spring ...

in fact.. since they root ... i changed my mind... move one ... and let them take the rest away with the backhoe.. lifes to short.. to work that hard.. lol

ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
BTW .. the neighbor once had to move a 12 footer in august .. dug up about an 18 inch ball ... chained it to my lawn mower.. and literally dragged it 2 acres away to my garden ... shoved it in a new hole.. and watered it once . and never again ...

it took it a few years to recover ... but it didnt die ...

just do what you need to do .. and maybe water it a bit more .. lol

ken
jc_7a_MiddleTN
5 years ago
I just transplanted 4 medium sized ones and the root balls were surprisingly small.

I know I massacred them but I did what gardengal suggested and moved them in the morning after a week of heavy rains.

fingers crossed