Prairie verbena has a tap root (unlike moss verbena so now I know for sure these are PV) and all my transplants are badly wilted. Any ideas on what I might do? I selected the largest plants but would it be better to pick the small seedlings? I just want to provide everyone I promised them to a viable plant. Any suggestions would be most useful. I keep misting them, perhaps in a day or two they will perk up.
Same thing is happening with the R. hirta, except they don't have tap roots.
C
Transplant help
Prairie verbena is tough. I've been digging and giving away a bunch of them this spring as we've cleared some roadside areas for trees. I just stick them in a bucket of water for the interim. I guess yeah, probably, the little ones stay a little perkier, but they all survive. Even if they look really raggedy, they'll take root and grow, just be sure they have good moisture at their new site until they're a little established. Maybe the existing leaves die, but the plants are fine for the long haul.
Thanks, that means I don't have to dig anymore of them!
I can see adult plants being tough but not so sure about seedlings. Still I will just have to wait and see how they do.
Cheryl keep the pots well watered and in the shade and maybe cut the plants back by half, I think they will make it that way.
When you pot them be sure you get as much of the root as possible, and it it is too long, you can wind up in the pot, that is o.k
I set all my transplants I've dug up in a shaded area and water them daily. I've only lost a few doing it that way.
I hadn't thought about cutting them back. DUH, that would probably help. I do keep them in the shade and water daily. LOL I am not as worried about the PV. I looked around the massive tangle and found it roots all along the stem. I am starting 1/2 dozen plants that way too. The R. hirta are always difficult to transplant and look awful for a while. Next year I will just lay the seed heads where I want them in my garden.