How I Transplant For No Shock
Step 1 fill the bag or pot 2/3 then press down so its squishy still but not packed super tight
Step 2 ,then i put my 16oz cup in to measure my distance to top of bag,i want it level to the lip as it will drop below when watered
Step 3 i use a litre of water and slow pour it in and wait for it to soak through,then i use lightly press it flat,then cover the top with dry medium,this is key as it will dampen up as you continue,yet not saturate the rootball.
Step 4 i place an empty 16oz cup in the middle and they cup and gently press it down,now your cup should be below your bag or pot lip.
Step 5 now add your medium all around the cup half way up and then press it squishy around the cup,then add more and again press it down till your medium is a 1/2in under cup lip.
Step 6 remove the empty cup, you now have a perfect fitting hole for the plant being transplanted.
6A remove plant to go in the hole
6B notice the the roots ringing.This is the start of RootBound which prevents your plant from growing to its full potential
A really rootbound planttaken from google image
When root bound happens its best to tickle or disturb the roots,take note to be gentle as you want to minimize damaging the roots as this will stunt or shock your plant.I use the round end of plastic take-out knife to feather the roots open.**its best if you can transplant before it becomes bound to reduce affecting your plant.
I opened up the rings on this one.Notice the one root ripped off this will cause minimal if any shock to the plant.Yet no matter how careful you are,Stuff can happen.
Step 7 put plant in hole
Step 8 i use just enough water to cover the surface of the entire bag area and then lightly press it down.
Step 9 add more soil to fill a 1/4 below your bag or pot lip and again water just enough to wet the surface area and lightly press it again
Step 10 a happy no stressed no wilted plant in its new home.
By soaking the bottom half of your medium and then covering in a layer of dry medium you give the roots a buffer zone.By watering the top half just enough to make it damp,it forces the roots to go down.In 2 to 3 days i will give them a 1/2 litre of plain water,then a 1/2 litre of 1/4 strength feed.This his worked great for me with no shock or droopy leaves.Hope it can help out any that struggle to transplant.