Moving Plants Cross Country

[fedwa001]

Hello all, it has been a while since I have posted here but I had a question. My family and I will be moving soon from Southern Arizona back to Colorado thanks to the Army. We will be taking the slow lazy way up with our 19ft Jayco Bunkhouse. Two adults two teens two dogs and about ten various potted plants one being a mini lime tree that is quite large. I was wondering if any of you had experience moving your plants or traveling with them in your TT. All advice is welcome. Thanks...

[doxiluvr]

If necessary, I would just take the plants that would fit in the shower stall and stabilize them so they don't tip over. Others I would give to neighbors or family and definitely buy new tomato plants after you get settled in Colorado. We summer up in Creede, CO in our TT and the growing season is a lot different up there than here in Tucson. May need an entirely different type of tomato plant.

[gazingm42]

We moved ours about 2000 miles from TN to UT. To use made sure they got some light when we stopped in the afternoon/

We left plants behind that would not live in our new colder winters. Having lived in CO i am not sure about your Lime tree.

Some leaves on the plants did turn yellow and fall off. But once had a new home they perked up.

Using the boxes and the shower are good ideas.

[JJBIRISH]

Wow, I don’t know what happened… while trying to edit my post I lost rv net and couldn’t get reconnected… so here it is again
The only problem is finding enough room for them… I hauled these around for two years, som in the van and some in the trailer, including the bannana tree and two large hybiscus, and numberious impatients… and when returning north a couple of early started tomato plants… moving about every two weeks through the winter for 6 months and 6 months at my home base…

When the tree got so tall it could no longer fit in the van I donated it to the local high school for keep in their atrium… to haul in the van I had to tie up the leaves together and it layed from the dashboard to the back doors…

Another problem is, that it may not be legal crossing state boarders with them, but I never had a problem with that…

Picture taken of them set out at the home base…

[JJBIRISH]

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[fedwa001]

dadmomh wrote:
I'd scratch the tomato plants....you have plenty to haul without them. Agree that the shower with a towel in the bottom is the way to go. You can check them at night, water if needed and no worries about dirt into the grey tank since it'll be caught by the towel.

Just returned from an amazing trip to Durango, CO....first time in CO other than zipping through on I-70 many years ago. A gorgeous state. Would like to make a return trip to catch the things we missed the first time. BTW, if you're near or haven't already done this, strongly suggest the Durango-Silverton train for a great trip. We didn't plan an extra day, well we did but it got used up by a windstorm in Amarillo, but need more time to explore Durango. Enjoy your new home.

We are very familiar with Colorado lived there from 2003 to 2009. Durango is very nice but we never did the railroad. We have done the narrow gauge out by Manitou Springs. We are very happy to be returning. I think we will just give all out vegetable garden plants to neighbors since they have a very nice garden going as well. Guess this means we will be buying most of our tomato sauce this winter. Thanks for all the great information all of you...

[dadmomh]

I'd scratch the tomato plants....you have plenty to haul without them. Agree that the shower with a towel in the bottom is the way to go. You can check them at night, water if needed and no worries about dirt into the grey tank since it'll be caught by the towel.

Just returned from an amazing trip to Durango, CO....first time in CO other than zipping through on I-70 many years ago. A gorgeous state. Would like to make a return trip to catch the things we missed the first time. BTW, if you're near or haven't already done this, strongly suggest the Durango-Silverton train for a great trip. We didn't plan an extra day, well we did but it got used up by a windstorm in Amarillo, but need more time to explore Durango. Enjoy your new home.

[bobjogone]

Shower or Rubbermaid tubs in the bathroom - depending on size of your pots. Rubbermaid tubs make it easier to move them in and out. Would have to move tomato plants to pots early enough to make sure they transplant okay. We just grow them in pots now to make them easy to move.

[CavemanCharlie]

I was thinking the same thing as Splinter but, was afraid to say it. As far as moving house plants, heck I can't even keep them alive in my house. No matter what I do they quickly die. I do have a nice outside vegetable garden but, can't imaging digging any of it up to move. I think what I dug up would probably die.

[fedwa001]

I just chuckled a little at that last comment Splinter...

[SplinterFL]

Couldn't resist posting when I saw the subject line.
As long as they don't need grow lights or dry out.
Long term you'll need to make sure the climates/zones are compatible.

The usual saying, secure everything so you don't have dirt all over when you hit the brakes.

----
Wonder if this question will come up when they legalize in FL.

[fedwa001]

All,
Thanks for all the great information. Now the wife is thinking about pulling our tomato plants up and potting them to take with us. It will def be intresting.

[ckwizard777]

Thats what I did when I moved from Delaware to Texas.
Put them all in the shower and they all lived.

[RedRocket204]

Did a move from NW Oregon to CO 2 years ago and moved a few houseplants. We just put them in the shower with a towel below the pots. This helps if there is any drainage and there is a skylight above for added light as we were hoping not to have the plants go into shock.

I think the biggest worry may be heat since you will be travelling in mostly desert area.

Our 2 week move/vacation ultimately did not harm the plants.

[DougE]

I've hauled them in both cargo trailers and a 19' travel trailer. You're going to be really tight on room. Give all a good watering the day before leaving. Small plants I put in cardboard cartons and they are OK being dormant for a few days in the dark of the carton. The lime tree can maybe be put in a wardrobe box and tied on the roof ladder if you have one or even on the trailer tongue (haven't actually tried this). Maybe you can just stack everything in the tub/shower once they are boxed.