How can you tell if your plant needs to be re-potted?
There are a few ways you can tell if you plant needs to be re-potted.
- Some new leaves are small and have deficiencies
- A mass of foliage looks unbalanced
- The roots are starting to circle around the pot
- Root are protruding from holes in pot
- The soil quality has decreased and no longer dries out completely, or holds water.
- Matted roots on the soil surface
- Water is not absorbing
- It’s been years since a plant was re-potted
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How to re-pot your plant
Here is a basic guide to re-potting a healthy plant.
- Give your plant a good drink a day or two before re-potting.
- Purchase a high-quality potting mix suitable for your type of plant.
- Purchase a pot slightly larger than the pot your plant is currently in, and partially fill it one-third full with the new soil.
- Turn your plant upside down, with the stem/body or the plant between thumb and forefinger.
- Try tapping the pot lightly to loosen the soil and plant from its pot.
- Once loose, pull the plant and roots free, gently.
- Gently remove old excess soil from plant and root system.
- Trim any unhealthy or rotted roots.
- Make a well in the soil of the new pot and place your plant into it, getting the roots close to the bottom of the pot.
- Add new soil, packing it in tightly around the plant to reduce air pockets in the soil.
- Once the plant is well supported, give it a water and return to its usual home.
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Want to see how it’s done? Watch Graham re-pot an orchid in the video below.
