Methods to Repot a Plant: Straightforward Step-by-Step Directions

Select the Finest Pot for Your Plant

If a houseplant’s roots have run out of house, its new pot typically must be 1 to 2 inches bigger in diameter than the unique, permitting extra room to develop with out requiring extreme quantities of soil and water.

That could be much less of a problem for out of doors potted vegetation that obtain rainfall, however whereas some vegetation want extra root house than others, it’s usually greatest to not encompass a potted plant with much more soil than it wants.

Plastic pots are lighter and simpler to maneuver, however are likelier to tip over. Terracotta and different ceramic pots provide some benefits over plastic, however they’re heavy, breakable, and take up moisture, so they might require extra watering than plastic pots.

Whichever materials you select, make certain your pot has drainage holes to assist scale back illness danger.

Select a Good Potting Medium

Search for a potting medium that’s well-suited to your plant. Houseplants grown for his or her foliage or flowers usually want loamier, humus-rich soil, for instance, whereas cacti and succulents want much less humus and extra sand.

Many varieties of potting mixes can work effectively for potted fruit and veggies, though it’s value researching your particular plant, since some are extra explicit about pH ranges, water retention, or different elements. 

On the whole, potted vegetation want a rising medium that’s porous sufficient to let air attain the roots, however can also be in a position to retain water and vitamins for the plant’s sustenance.

It’s usually higher to keep away from merchandise labeled as “potting soil,” in response to the College of Maryland Extension Service, since these are typically too dense for satisfactory aeration. In the event you do purchase precise soil, it’s possible you’ll need to add perlite or vermiculite to assist loosen it a bit. In any other case, search for a synthetic potting combine with peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, and probably slow-release fertilizer, though you may as well simply add fertilizer later.

Another choice is to make your individual potting medium at dwelling, utilizing a mix of roughly half natural elements (like peat moss, compost, or rice hulls) and half inorganic elements (like perlite, builder’s sand, vermiculite, or pumice).

Water the Plant in Its Unique Pot

Hold your plant well-hydrated previous to repotting. Attempt to present its typical water provide within the day(s) main as much as the transfer, then give it yet another drink about an hour earlier than you repot it.

This step would possibly assist your plant deal with the stress of repotting, and it may end up in much less brittle, extra pliable roots, which make the repotting course of simpler for everybody.

Put together the New Pot

In the event you’re reusing a pot that beforehand held one other plant, make sure that to wash it effectively earlier than utilizing it once more.

Relying on the plant, the pot, and your preferences, it’s possible you’ll need to add one thing on the backside of your new pot to forestall potting combine from leaking by the drainage holes.

This isn’t all the time crucial, however in case you’re anxious about it, you possibly can add shards of damaged clay or terracotta to the underside. Don’t add small rocks or gravel, although, since that doesn’t assist with drainage and takes us house that would in any other case be utilized by the roots. Some gardeners use a paper towel or espresso filters.

Add Some Potting Medium to the New Pot

Pour a bit potting combine into the brand new pot. Add sufficient to cowl the underside and supply a cushion, however bear in mind to depart house not simply to your plant’s roots, but additionally for some further potting combine to cowl them on the floor.

Visualize how massive the basis ball shall be contained in the pot, and attempt to hold the highest of the basis ball 1 or 2 inches beneath the rim.

Take away the Plant From Its Outdated Pot

There are completely different strategies for eradicating a plant from its pot, and a few may fit higher than others relying on variables like the kind of pot, the kind of plant, or the situation of the roots and soil.

It’s usually simpler to take away a plant from a plastic pot, because the extra versatile materials enables you to gently squeeze, pinch, or roll from the surface to separate the soil and roots from the pot’s inside partitions. You’ll be able to obtain the identical end result with ceramic pots, nevertheless, by gently knocking the pot in opposition to a tough floor, or by turning the pot upside-down and patting or slapping the underside together with your hand.

In any case, bear in mind that is already a giant ordeal to your plant, so attempt to be as mild as potential. Flip the pot upside-down slowly, with one hand able to catch the mass of roots and soil when it comes out. (Some vegetation slide out simply, whereas others might must be gently pulled, wiggled, and coaxed).

When you’ve eliminated the plant, put down the outdated pot and thoroughly flip the plant upright in your fingers, cradling it by the basis ball.

Carry out a Fast Well being Test on the Roots

Whereas nonetheless holding the unpotted plant, look at the situation of its roots. Don’t fear in the event that they’re a bit matted or root-bound—you’re already within the strategy of addressing that drawback by transferring your plant to a much bigger pot.

In the event you do see a whole lot of matted or clumped roots across the exterior of the basis ball, although, it could be value gently teasing them aside together with your fingers. If that appears not possible, you possibly can attempt loosening the clump by trimming a number of roots with scissors or a knife, then untangling the remaining by hand.

For some vegetation, it may be useful to trim away clumps of roots on the prime of the basis ball, together with every other brown, dead-looking roots.

Place Your Plant in Its New Pot

Rigorously decrease the basis ball into the brand new pot, setting it atop the layer of potting combine you’ve already poured onto the underside.

Sprinkle in additional potting combine across the sides of the basis ball, gently patting it in to scale back air pockets, however with out compacting it an excessive amount of.

On the whole, the aboveground elements of the plant—leaves, flowers, and fruit—shouldn’t be in touch with the soil or potting combine as soon as transplanting is full.

Water the Plant

Your plant has been by so much at this level. Give it loads of water when you’ve completed repotting, however then wait till the soil has dried on the floor earlier than you water once more.

Select a Good Spot for Your Repotted Plant

You could have now repotted your plant, however that isn’t the tip of the story. The plant may have time to beat the stress of repotting and to regulate to its new dwelling.

Test on it recurrently, in search of indicators of transplant shock, like wilting or falling leaves. Present the correct amount of water, and place it someplace with optimum daylight, temperature, and airflow. You could possibly even attempt studying bedtime tales to your plant.