Transplantering

Transplantering is the act of moving a plant or other living tissue from one location to another. In horticulture and agriculture it usually refers to moving established plants or seedlings to new sites to enable growth, improve stability, or establish crops. In medicine, transplantation describes the transfer of an organ, tissue, or cells from a donor to a recipient.

In plant contexts, transplants are used to develop landscapes, orchards, or nursery stock, and to relieve crowding or poor soil conditions. Common methods include moving container-grown plants or those dug with their root balls; bare-root transplanting is used for trees and shrubs with careful root pruning and depth placement. Site preparation includes soil amendment, proper drainage, hole depth, irrigation, and mulching. Aftercare involves regular watering, protection from harsh conditions, and sometimes staking or pruning to reduce stress. The timing depends on climate; spring is typical in temperate regions, while fall transplanting is common where soils remain moist and temperatures mild.

In forestry and large-scale agriculture, specialized transplanters place seedlings in rows with controlled depth and spacing to optimize survival and future growth.

In medicine, transplantation replaces a failing organ or tissue with a donor. It requires matching between donor and recipient, surgical expertise, and ongoing immunosuppression to prevent rejection. Common transplants include kidney, liver, heart, lungs, and corneas. Ethical considerations include consent, allocation, and risk management.

Risks in any transplantation context include transplant shock, infection, and, for plants, the introduction of pests or diseases or, in environmental cases, issues with invasive species.