Very Useful Repotting Guide
- Remove plant from old pot
- Loosen roots
- Remove original soil
- Fresh potting mix
- Groom plant
- Put in shady spot
- Maintenance after repotting
Before You Start
If you have your plant slightly dry for a few days, it will make it easier to get the plant out of the original pot. If you need help choosing a pot see How To Choose the Right Pot for Your Plant.
1. Remove Plant from Old Pot
Put your hand on the top layer of soil between the stems and turn the plant upside down.
Rotate the pot gently in both directions to separate it from the roots and soil a few times. The plant should come loose.
2. Loosen Roots
Loosen roots gently with your hands.
If the roots are wrapped tightly, carefully detangle roots and trim them. Using garden scissors or a sharp knife, cut the root ball and 1/3 can be removed.
3. Remove Original Soil
Remove the original soil by using your hands or by gently shaking the plant, to spread the roots.
4. Fresh Potting Mix
Put a layer of fresh potting mix at the bottom of the new pot.
Put the plant in the pot so that the crown of the plant is in line with the lip of the pot when you put it inside.
Add fresh soil around the plant and gently press it down to avoid big air pockets around the roots, but don't press too hard as that can cause a lack of oxygen in the soil.
5. Groom Plant
Take off any wilted, brown or yellowing leaves. Water the plant and keep it regularly hydrated in the coming weeks.
6. Put in Shady Spot
Plants are sensitive after repotting and intense sunlight will do it more harm than good.
Move plant to a sunnier spot after a few weeks.
Newly potted plants will often show signs of transplant stress. If this is your plant, read on.
It's not unusual for a newly potted plant to get yellow or bronze leaves. Plants can also start wilting or curling after replanting.
At this moment it is essential to keep your plant hydrated - the soil must be slightly moist (but not wet!) at all times.
The plant should also be kept in the shade because newly potted plants are often sensitive. The plant should recover after a few weeks, and then it can be moved to a sunnier spot.
Aside from regular watering, there is usually no need for extra care after repotting. If you did everything right, the plant grows in fresh soil with enough nutrients for the next couple of months.
Significant signs of stress
If repotting has led to significant stress, groom your plant by cutting off any wilted, brown or yellowing leaves. This will help your plant preserve energy to put towards new growth.
If the plant still hasn't recovered a month after repotting you may have to check other issues like whether it's getting enough sunlight and humidity.
In these circumstances, searching for your plant variety and it's symptoms of sickness is often helpful to diagnose the issue.
Article adapted from Picture This App.
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