Greetings, caretaker. We are the lupine seedlings, a community of nascent life reaching for the sun. Our transition from the sheltered nursery of our seed trays to the vastness of your garden is a profound journey. To ensure our successful establishment and future blooms, the timing and method of this transplant are paramount. Please listen to our needs.
Our readiness is not measured by the calendar alone, but by our physical development and the environment's condition. You must wait until we have developed our first set of true leaves. These are the leaves that appear after the initial seed leaves (cotyledons) and bear the distinct, palmate shape of a lupine. This indicates we have a robust enough photosynthetic system to support the stress of moving. Furthermore, we must be well-rooted within our container. Gently tug on a leaf; if you feel a slight resistance, it means our root system has sufficiently anchored us and we are prepared for the next stage. Externally, the soil must be workable and the threat of a hard frost has completely passed. We are tender and cannot withstand such a shock.
Our future prosperity depends heavily on the preparation of our new bed. We lupines are taproot plants, meaning we send a deep, central root straight down into the earth to anchor ourselves and seek water. Therefore, we require soil that is deep, loose, and very well-draining. Water that pools around our crown will lead to rot and our demise. Please choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade and work the soil to a depth greater than the length of our expected root. While we are nitrogen-fixers and can nourish ourselves, incorporating a small amount of compost into the planting hole will help welcome us to the neighborhood without overwhelming our sensitive roots with excess nitrogen.
The act of transplantation is a delicate one. Please water us thoroughly in our original cells a few hours before the move. This ensures our cells are full of water, reducing transplant shock, and it helps the soil ball hold together. To remove us, do not pull us by our stem, which is easily bruised and broken. Instead, gently squeeze the sides of the pot or use a small tool to carefully lift the entire root ball out, keeping it completely intact. Our fragile taproot is easily damaged, and any significant break will stunt our growth or be fatal. Place us into a hole that is twice as wide as our root ball and deep enough so that we sit at the same soil level we were growing at before. Backfill the soil gently but firmly around us to eliminate large air pockets.
Immediately after settling us into our new home, give us a deep, gentle watering. This is called "watering in," and it helps the soil settle around our roots and rehydrates us. For the first week or two, we will need consistent moisture as we stretch our roots into the new surrounding soil. However, please ensure the soil remains moist but never soggy. A layer of light mulch around our base (but not touching our stem) can help conserve this moisture and regulate soil temperature. Monitor us for signs of wilting in the following days, providing temporary shade during the hottest part of the day if necessary.
