How to Rescue Clearance Plants
Now that planting is ending for the season
many plants are going on clearance at local nurseries, hardware stores, and
supermarkets. These clearance plants often look as if they are down for the
count with no life left in them. If you have a soft spot for plants this can be
difficult to see and you may be interested in saving the plants. The good news
is you can rescue many of these clearance plants.
What to look for in a clearance plant
When you look at a clearance plant to decide
if it is a good candidate for rescue look for a few signs that the plant stands
a chance. Does the plant sill have thriving green leaves? Even just 1/4 of the
foliage still holding onto life is a sign that the plant can survive pruning
and begin to grow again.
Check for bound roots. Mild root binding can be fixed by
quickly transplanting the plant to a larger pot or placing directly into your
garden bed. Severe cases of root binding often are beyond repair if the plant
has begun to die off.
What you will need
After selecting a clearance plant to rescue, grab a few basic supplies before leaving the store.
If you do not have sharp
shears for pruning, now is the time to get a pair or to get a sharpener for the
set you already have. Clean sharp pruning shears to get the best overall results.
Grab a new pot and some potting soil if your rescue plant will be staying in a
pot. If you do not have a quality compost or fertilizer for your plants picks
some up so you can help your rescue plant bounce back.
How to save the plants!
Once you have gotten home with your clearance
plant you can begin the process of helping your plant recover and thrive. Start
by pruning away dead leaves and stems from your plant. This will allow the
living parts of the plant to better be able to collect sunlight and reduce the strain
on the plant overall.
Prune away any flowers or fruits on the plant to reduce
the amount of energy your plant needs to thrive. This will give your plant the
opportunity to focus on new growth.
Before moving your plant, mix compost or
fertilizer into the garden bed or potting soil. This will allow your plants to
pick up much-needed nutrients that it may be missing from lack of care. This
will give your plant the best chance at survival.
Once your transplant your new plant you may be
tempted to give it extra water to help it grow. Many clearance plants have been
starved of water for a long time and do desperately need water but I need to go
slowly. Adding too much water to your dried out plants at once can shock them
and kill them off. Go slowly and introduce water a bit at a time over the new
few days.
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