Transplant Shock

"Behold, my brothers [and sisters], the spring has come,
The earth has received the embraces of the sun
And we shall soon see the results of that love!

Every seed is awakened and so has all animal life.
It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being
And therefore yield to our neighbors,
Even our animal neighbors,
The same right as ourselves, to inhabit this land.
Sitting Bull

For some of you the signs of Spring are still illusive. Those living in the Sierras are still in what feels like the dead of Winter with all the snow on the ground.

I hear that Tioga Pass through Yosemite and Eastward to Highway 395 is not predicted to open until mid to late June. Here in West Sonoma County we have had a few cool but sunny, windy days mixed with days of rain. The blustery, unseasonably cool weather has resulted in the BE BEs remaining in their cardboard box in the garage with only brief forays into the veggie garden. 

YIKES! At 4 1/2 weeks old here you can see their heads way above the
top of the cardboard box but it is dry and toasty!

Transplant shock seems to be a part of the process for both plant starts in MuRefuge's greenhouse as well as the ducklings who put down their initial roots in the cardboard box in the garage.

During this passage of time since the last post, the tomato starts have been transplanted into 4" pots from the six pack in which seeds were scattered. This will be "home" for about a month before transplantation into their permanent home in the basalt block, gopher proof, raised beds.

The transplant shock is ameliorated by spraying with a flower essence first the exposed roots and then again immediately after nestling each plant into fresh organic potting soil. Once the 4" pots are watered, both the little starts and the soil are sprayed. This is repeated several times over the next 24 hours.

Five-Flower, aka Rescue when formulated by Bach,
is diluted 4 drops in an eight ounce spray bottle
with 8 drops of brandy and shaken well.
Prior to each use the bottle is vigorously shaken
to activate the "magic potent." This remedy works
wonders for any sudden and difficult event for any sentient BEing.

So too during the first foray for the BE BEs into their chicken wire enclosure, they are generously sprayed with the same flower essence.

And of course, when the transition from their cardboard box home to their new home, the duckhouse in which their adult sisters reside during the nighttime hours, they are generously sprayed as well. The transition includes sectioning off part of the duckhouse and hanging the heat lamp for warmth since the BE BEs are not fully feathered yet.

Now 5 1/2 weeks old the ducklings have been "transplanted" to
their "forever home" here at MuRefuge.

This intrusion of the ducklings into the adult ducks' space is upsetting for all. The first nighttime they spend together is a big adjustment for all 7 BEings so once the adults are gently guided by both Cathie and Dwight into the duckhouse, not an easy task the very first time, all are generously sprayed with the Five-Flower Flower Essence. Peace and tranquility does prevail.

As life presents each of us with upsetting experiences, may we each