I have decided that the only sane way for me to move from Los Angeles to Austin Texas is to do it via one of those companies that dumps shipping containers on your property for days for you to fill, then takes them to the new location and dumps them there for you to empty. BRILLIANT idea, especially for someone like me who hates moving so much.
I plan to drive over 3 days from California to Austin. I will have two big dogs and my computers and a few other precious things in the car…it’s going to be damn full. (I drive a Toyota Matrix)
Here’s my dilemma: I have a number of plants that I have lovingly nurtured for YEARS. Most of them are in small pots, a couple are pretty major (I have a boston fern that Ibrought back from 3 scraggly stems to a 6-foot across monster fern…I’m taking it with me, dammit!). There is simply no room for them in the car.
So how else to move them…except in the containers? But the containers will remain closed for at LEAST 7 days, probably more. How long before the plants die from lack of light? I know it’s individual to the plants, but some idea… I am willing to cut the big ones back severely jsut for space considerations, too. But I don’t want to kill 'em in the dark!
The alternative would be… what? Where can I get a teeny-tiny little trailer to hitch to the back of the matrix? Actually, that freaks me out. I’ve never towed a damn thing anywhere, I have no idea how to deal with that.
help! I love my plants and I’m not giving them up! WAH!
Ok, calm down I’ve done this and for a longer distance. Phoenix to Connecticut. Yes, you can pull a Uhaul trailer - the small one behind your matrix with no problem at all. It’s not like you will be running into any major snow storms down that way…
My wife and I did not move with a POD - we moved with Mayflower. They did not guarantee our plants safety in the HUGE truck, so we took it into our own hands to secure them. 7 days with no light isn’t all that bad. However, if you are using PODS they are white right? Its not completely dark in them. That is aside the point. This is what we did with all of our plants.
We got some heavy duty bubble plastic wrap from Home depot, and watered each plant heavily. then wrapped the pots with the bubble wrap to secure the soil in them - then we used tomato grates [you know the metal, round tomato planters] put that around the plant, and into the soil popping through the plastic already surrounding the pots. Then we wrapped the bejeezus around the tomato grates, making veritable cocoons for the plants. We taped them off so they wouldn’t come loose and then [very important] poked holes in the bubble wrap. This allowed the plants to breath.
Interestingly, when we arrived in CT, there was a TON of condensation inside the wrapped plants, and yes they were wilted to some degree, but within hours of putting them in the sun with fresh water they all perked up. It was funny, the movers laughed at us, while explaining they were not responsible if they died. non of them died and it worked nicely. I’d think you can take one of these wrapped cocoons in your car maybe, and the rest in the POD. Are you using PODS?
Seven days in an unvented container without light. = Dead plants. Mostly it’s the temperature and humidity that will be killing them. A plant should live through a week without light, not that it doesn’t stress them.
It sounds like you’ll have to give them to a friend.
All of our plants lived through 6 days in a Mayflower truck using the method I outlined above. I don’t think PODs are air tight…I know mayflower trucks aren’t.
If I understand what you’re saying… you used the tomato cages to create a structure to protect the plants, and wrapped theplastic around that, yes?
The boston fern was practically dead when we met, just a few scraggly brown fronds and it’s a freakin’ monster now. What’s remarkable about that is that the only thing I’ve ever done for it is water it. I gave it home in the right spot, keep it watered, and it’s as happy as can be. Maybe moving it to Texas will kill it, but something tells me no… I think it will be very happy.
Plants are routinely shipped worldwide. 7 days without light will not be a hardship. Maintaining moisture and avoiding freezing are of more importance as most companies cease to ship live plants over the winter. Depending upon the species involved I would recommend severe cuts and possibly temporary unpotting/bagging with wet towels. What plants do you have apart from the fern? I understand emotional attachments to one’s houseplants, but saving a small starter portion whilst giving away the remnant to friends also holds much a ppeal.