SnitchSeeker.com - View Single Post - Herbology Lesson One: Room for a New Arrival

Zellanna · 10-05-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camirayaxley

"Fill your container, or pot, with a commercial potting soil, up to approximately 2 inches below the top of your container.Saturate the soil, of the container in which you intend to transplant, with water containing the transplanting fertilizer of your choice.
...
She didn't know if that was right or not, but that's what her tutor had taught her. She hoped she as at least partially right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dracos_Lady

Hugo raised his hand, lips pursed. "Transplanting is moving one plant to another place right? So you need to have a plant already in a plant pot. Then you need to prepare another pot with soil and such. Then grip the plant firmly and pull it out, transferring it carefully to the other pot and putting a little soil around it, to hold it in..." He trailed off uncertainly.

"You have the basics. 2 points to each of you. Don't forget that we are transplanting to transplant later. The peat pots will be smaller, so it will take a little extra care and skill." He took up a peat pot and made his way to the nearest student planter to demonstrate. "First, the pot isn't prepared quite the same, as there isn't much room. The root bundles will take up a good portion of them. Only put a few inches of soil in to start with," he said, showing them what he meant. A small handful was enough to fill the bottom of the small pot. "Keep the soil you will be using close to you. You will not have much opportunity to move if this is done properly."

"Next, you will need to separate the plant from the others, and gently. You want to care for its roots as well as those around it. Choose one of the healthiest plants. Remember, these will be stronger and more likely to survive a transplant." He chose one of the tallest and carefully tilted it. "As you choose these plants, make observations. The stem is the thickest and the strongest, the veins of the leaves are stiff, and even the thorns are well-developed. Compare it to one of the smaller plants which will be staying, so that you can see and feel the difference. That way when you have fewer of the healthy plants, you will be able to tell between them."

He edged his hand into the soil, just between that plant and one next to it. "Next is digging the plant out. A trowel does work for this, but you have a high chance of injuring the plant. Instead what you will be doing is just trying to get the plant loose from deep in the soil and gently tugging some of the roots away from the others. The reason we do this and do not pull it out is because pulling damages the root systems." He continued edging around the plant until it seemed somewhat loose in the soil. "Once that is done, gently lift it out. One hand on the stem of the plant, the other at the roots."

He pulled the plant out, gave a few shakes so that some of the soil fell from the plant, but not a lot of it. He then put it into the pot, but did not let go of the stem. "Keep a hold on the stem. I want you to make sure the base of the stem is nearly at the edge of the pot. Again, this is due to the entire thing being transplanted later, without removing it from the pot. You actually don't want it sticking out. Not only does it make for uneven planting, but it's tacky. As you can imagine, having it hover here doesn't leave much room for you to move. Fill in the soil from here, while holding the plant." As he spoke, he did as he was saying. "Pack it in a little in order to make sure you will be supporting the plant. Once it is filled, let go of the stem to see if it sinks. If not, your job is complete and you can move on to the next one. If it sinks, just add some more soil. You do not want too much covering the stem itself, or it will rot the stem."

He looked about the classroom as he finished. "Are there any questions? If not, then please begin."

10-05-2008, 08:08 PM	#331 (permalink)
Zellanna DoM & DERP Knarl Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 9,443 Hogwarts RPG Name: Armand Beta-Erikson Slytherin First Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Damien Beta-Erikson Slytherin First Year	Slytherin by heart Quote: Originally Posted by camirayaxley "Fill your container, or pot, with a commercial potting soil, up to approximately 2 inches below the top of your container.Saturate the soil, of the container in which you intend to transplant, with water containing the transplanting fertilizer of your choice. ... She didn't know if that was right or not, but that's what her tutor had taught her. She hoped she as at least partially right. Quote: Originally Posted by Dracos_Lady Hugo raised his hand, lips pursed. "Transplanting is moving one plant to another place right? So you need to have a plant already in a plant pot. Then you need to prepare another pot with soil and such. Then grip the plant firmly and pull it out, transferring it carefully to the other pot and putting a little soil around it, to hold it in..." He trailed off uncertainly. "You have the basics. 2 points to each of you. Don't forget that we are transplanting to transplant later. The peat pots will be smaller, so it will take a little extra care and skill." He took up a peat pot and made his way to the nearest student planter to demonstrate. "First, the pot isn't prepared quite the same, as there isn't much room. The root bundles will take up a good portion of them. Only put a few inches of soil in to start with," he said, showing them what he meant. A small handful was enough to fill the bottom of the small pot. "Keep the soil you will be using close to you. You will not have much opportunity to move if this is done properly." "Next, you will need to separate the plant from the others, and gently. You want to care for its roots as well as those around it. Choose one of the healthiest plants. Remember, these will be stronger and more likely to survive a transplant." He chose one of the tallest and carefully tilted it. "As you choose these plants, make observations. The stem is the thickest and the strongest, the veins of the leaves are stiff, and even the thorns are well-developed. Compare it to one of the smaller plants which will be staying, so that you can see and feel the difference. That way when you have fewer of the healthy plants, you will be able to tell between them." He edged his hand into the soil, just between that plant and one next to it. "Next is digging the plant out. A trowel does work for this, but you have a high chance of injuring the plant. Instead what you will be doing is just trying to get the plant loose from deep in the soil and gently tugging some of the roots away from the others. The reason we do this and do not pull it out is because pulling damages the root systems." He continued edging around the plant until it seemed somewhat loose in the soil. "Once that is done, gently lift it out. One hand on the stem of the plant, the other at the roots." He pulled the plant out, gave a few shakes so that some of the soil fell from the plant, but not a lot of it. He then put it into the pot, but did not let go of the stem. "Keep a hold on the stem. I want you to make sure the base of the stem is nearly at the edge of the pot. Again, this is due to the entire thing being transplanted later, without removing it from the pot. You actually don't want it sticking out. Not only does it make for uneven planting, but it's tacky. As you can imagine, having it hover here doesn't leave much room for you to move. Fill in the soil from here, while holding the plant." As he spoke, he did as he was saying. "Pack it in a little in order to make sure you will be supporting the plant. Once it is filled, let go of the stem to see if it sinks. If not, your job is complete and you can move on to the next one. If it sinks, just add some more soil. You do not want too much covering the stem itself, or it will rot the stem." He looked about the classroom as he finished. "Are there any questions? If not, then please begin." __________________ Armand and Damien Beta-Erikson Named for Legends