Why Do Plants Dry Up After Bringing Them Home from the Nursery? Causes and Solutions

Sudeepti

1 year ago

Why Do Plants Dry Up After Bringing Them Home from the Nursery?

Bringing a new plant home from the nursery is always exciting, but it can be disheartening when that fresh, vibrant plant starts to dry up just days after you have settled it into its new environment.

Many gardeners often complain that their plants dry up soon after bringing them home from the nursery. What causes this, and how can you prevent it?

Let’s dive into the possible reasons and how you can ensure your new plant thrives.

Why Do Plants Dry Up: Causes and Solutions

1. Young plants are more prone to stress

Did you know that young plants are more prone to stress compared to older ones?

Most of the plants we get from nurseries are young, which is why they often go into stress after being brought home.
However, if a plant is at least a year old, it’s less likely to experience stress and can adapt better to its new environment.

2. Transition Shock: Why It’s a Big Deal

When plants move from the controlled environment of a nursery to your home, they often experience “transition shock.”

Nurseries offer different conditions: watering, lighting, and humidity, plus they give heavy fertilizers like DAP, Urea, etc.
Your home might not match these conditions, leading to stress that causes your plant to dry up.

2. Temperature Fluctuations

Sudden changes in temperature, especially if the plant was transported in cold or hot conditions, can stress the plant.

The temperature in your home might also be different from the stable climate of the nursery, which could contribute to the drying process.

3. Give your new plants time to settle down in new environment

Do not transplant the plant immediately after bringing it.

Many gardeners tend to transplant their plants immediately after bringing them home from the nursery. However, it’s best to avoid this practice.

Instead, allow the plants some time to acclimatize to their new environment.

Note:

Keep the new plants alongside your other plants in the garden, and wait at least 4-5 days before transplanting them into pots.

4. Avoid direct Sunlight for the first two days

When you bring your plant home, do not place it in direct sunlight for the first two days to prevent sunburn.

5. Ensure Proper Lighting

Make sure your plant is not kept in a dark place; find a bright spot for it to acclimatize.

6. Monitor Your Plant’s Health

After two days, if the plant appears healthy, you can place it in sunlight and water it when the topsoil dries out. If it continues to look good after five days, it’s ready for a new pot.

How to transplant new plant?

1. Best Time to Transplant

Only transplant your plants in the evening to minimize stress.

2. Do not disturb the roots of plant

When removing a plant from the nursery bag, be careful to tear the bag gently so as not to disturb the roots.

This helps prevent wilting or death of the plant.

4. Choose the right pot Size

Select a pot that is the appropriate size to accommodate the plant’s roots.

Use a smaller pot for young plants and transfer to a larger one as they grow.

5. Prepare the soil

Preparing soft soil is essential for your plant’s growth.

Hard soil can restrict root development and hinder growth.

Must read:

How to make perfect soil mix for plants

6. Add nutrients in soil mix

Mix compost into the soil before planting.

Since nursery plants are often chemically treated, using soft compost helps in their adjustment.

7. After repotting add Water thoroughly

Water it well but in installments, until you see water draining from the bottom hole.

When water comes out from the drainage hole, it means roots at the bottom side also get water.

Must read:

How to water plants

8. After transplant, keep plant in shade

After transplanting, keep the plant in a shaded area for 7 to 10 days, allowing it to receive indirect sunlight before moving it to full sunlight or semi-shade according to its needs.