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

What We Can Learn about Ourselves from Observing Our Transplants

Having lived in many different places without BE-ing rooted I have come to realize that incessant moving about prevents BE-ing rooted and requires a rather unconscious state of mind. I remember when I was an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona's College of Nursing teaching about Selye's model of stress and the consequences of major life changes on one's health, I was very cavalier about my good health not being affected by my many moves and unfortunate work experiences. I rather saw myself in a constant state like these vibrant and healthy starts in my greenhouse in spite of my workaholic nature. I was a vegetarian, ran 40 miles a week, swam a couple of times a week, hiked in nature to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the desert and mountains. Sasha and Tatiana (Siberian Huskies) were my wonderful companions in many of these activities.

More transplanting of myself ensued to locations less and less hospitable. With each move I found myself dipping into the well of pioneer woman to continue working. Finally I arrived in Sonoma County with the well close to dry and me wilted just like these transplants in my greenhouse. A change, big change, was in order. Maybe making choices more consciously? Considering the consequences of my choices?

Finding a home, like these seedling trays that essentially eliminate transplant shock, where I could be comfortable seemed like an appropriate place to start. Done. And both Sasha and Tatiana seemed really happy living in the country, with a morning run on country roads and an occasional chasing of skunks or a feral cat. The expansive views seemed to feed me.

Then my long dead grandmother visited saying, "Do the hard work while you can or you'll have to do it on your death bed." Well, that was a wake up call!

How to be conscious? Becoming aware of habits learned seemed like the next step. An introduction to the Enneagram (a map for the emotional, psychological, spiritual AND for how to tell the difference between unconscious/learned habits and conscious BE-ing) was a blessing. I discovered my point of view and perception of the world as well as others' points of view and ways of perceiving. Ah ha, "everyone doesn't think like I do," so maybe, just maybe I can be more open.

This process of being more open, opens doors heretofore closed. For me this "allowing" brings to me consciousness, seeing what previously was hidden. One of these wonderful gifts came in the form of a nearby organization, the Flower Essence Society located in Nevada City, CA.

http://www.fesflowers.com/

Their Five-Flower Formula, aka Bach Flower Remedy Rescue, is a combination flower essence from five flowers: Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Star of Bethlehem. This wonderful elixir provides the opportunity for "calmness and stability in any emergency or time of high stress" for any sentient BE-ing.

To mitigate transplant shock, I find this remedy works well diluted 4 drops/1 ounce of spring water, shaking then add 8 drops of brandy, again shaking, Using this preparation in a spray bottle is a lovely way to support these tiny starts adjusting to their new home, the seedling trays.

So I have learned that transplantation, whether of ourselves or plants, produces evidence of shock IF we observe. BE-ing conscious in the uprooting and rerooting, we each can minimize the degree of the shock and the consequential reverberations. My plants provide me wisdom. I only have to observe and BE conscious.

Please share your experiences in the comment section.