The shifting of a plant from one soil or culture medium to another is generally known as Transplantation of the plant. Usually transplantation is done to ensure the growth of the plant.
The plants will be allowed to grow in groups till a certain period of time. Later they need to be transplanted for better growth and production. The plants when grown in groups show a relatively high growth. After few months there arises a need to grow single for every plant. Transplantation helps to check the growth when grown in groups and helps the plants to attain considerable growth.
Plants grown in flowerpots and flats are transplanted to the garden in open space with an exposure to climate etc. The seedlings of the plants are initially placed single in the pots or cups made of paper with an outlet for drainage. They are then carefully transplanted from the pots to the garden.
The pot has to be watered first and given time for the plant to absorb water. Then lift the plant that has to be transplanted with out causing a major damage to its roots. Care should be taken while lifting the plant. The soil covering the roots has to be placed along with the new soil to support the plant to adopt for the conditions of the growing place.
Dipping the roots in a mixture of clay and water helps greatly in bridging the critical transplanting period. Pouring a half pint to a pint of water, or less for small plants, into the hole around the plant before it is completely filled is usually necessary.
The soil in which the transplantation is to occur must be fertile. A mixture of rich topsoil and garden compost with a very light addition of a commercial garden fertilizer is recommended.
Plants differ greatly in the way they recover from the loss of roots and from exposure to new conditions. Small plants like tomatoes, lettuce, beets, cabbage, and the other related vegetables are easy to transplant. The vine crops should be seeded directly in berry baskets or containers of the same size that can be transferred to the garden and removed without disturbing the root systems. Beans and sweet corn can be handled in the same manner for better production.