Plants are in itself amazing creations and here in this article few amazing facts regarding how to repot a plant are discussed in detail. Although some plants don’t need to be repotted frequently, some plants need it as much. It is a good practice to repot the plant as when a new plant is bought and taken care of it becomes an emotion for the owner. So it is very well necessary to keep the plant alive. Plans need a good quantity of care to leave.
1. Why Repot a Plant?
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In the wild, the plant takes all the vital nutrients from the ground, but this is not the same for house plants which are poted in a planter with a particular nutrient-rich potting compost. These nutrients in the potting soil compost sink with time so there is a need for repotting indoor plants.
As the plant grows, all the roots of the plant grow too and expand which requires more room for the roots. In search of water and nutrients, these roots grow more and more so if the part in which the plant is rooted is too small then the roots cannot expand as much as they require so this is another reason for repotting a plant.
2. When to Repot?
If the plant grows very big for the pot and the roots pop out of the soil on the top and bottom (drainage holes) of the pot, it is a sign that the plant needs repotting.
Also, if the plant has outgrown and the plant roots of the plant have circled the pot’s edge, it is a sign that the space required by the plant is not enough and it is time to repot.
Another sign to know that the plant needs repotting is the soil drying out very quickly. If you see the soil to be tried faster than normal or if it is not showing any growth then a repot is required.
3. Interval of Repotting:-
When in case the root-bound plants have outgrown then there is a need for repotting at that time itself.
If you feel the plant needs new nutrients and for that new soil to be added then also repotting can be done by adding fresh new soil and not shifting the plant to another planter.
Other than this, the ideal interval in which a plant needs to be repotted is every two to three years.
4. Perfect Time to Repot A Plant:-
Repotting should only be done when the season favours the growth of the plant or in the growing season. If done in the off-season, there is a chance for the plant to die.
For repotting indoor plants, the early spring season is best suited as due to the light and high temperature in this season, the repot plants tend to grow and grow more.
5. Two Methods to Repot a Plant:-
It is not always necessary to take the plant completely out of the pot and shift it into a new pot. This is to be done only when the roots have circled the pot or entangled showing the sign for repotting by shifting to a bigger pot for more room.
Sometimes the plant only asks for nutrients and not a bigger room or space. So in this case, only the soil needs to be changed in the same pot or new container or even a water bottle can be used.
6. Repotting Reasons:-
When the plant has absorbed all the nutrients from the soil, the soil becomes depleted. This is one reason to repot the plant as in this case the plant would not have so much growth. New soil after repotting will provide enough nutrients to boost the growth of the plant. Excess soil should not be used. Too much soil can lead to congestion of root balls as well as a drainage hole.
Another reason behind repotting could be better watering. Sometimes the water seeps out of the bottom of the pot immediately after watering is done. So repotting is done to prevent this and the roots will be freed up.
The roots of the plant sometimes rot due to watering and the plants cannot absorb water. The roots become black in this condition, and the damaged roots are to be trimmed to prevent root rot and to help the plant to become healthy.
To free up space when a plant gets overcrowded, sometimes dividing the plant into new plants is done. This can be done best during the repotting time.
7. How to Repot A Plant?
- Before the repotting is to be done enough water is to be provided to the plan for 1 to 2 days prior. This is done to make the taking out of the procedure easier. Also, it helps the plan to prevent any shock during digging it out.
- The plant has to be taken out very gently from the old pot. If the older plants are highly root-bound, the old roots have to be loosened up with a butter knife or similar item by sliding it around the pot. For small plants avoid using an oversized planter. the right pot, with additional space and a little extra room, shall be used.
- The previous soil mix or old potting mix has to be removed completely from the pot and the roots by shaking and running through water. Any damaged or rotten root ball is to be clipped off at this stage.
- Fresh potting soil mix used to be made with the proper concentration of compost, soil, stones, and so on. This new soil should be nutrient-rich and well-draining. Potting compost is commonly used for this purpose. Use enough soil
- Fill the pot with this new soil potting mix and place this plant in it. All the roots of the plant are to be covered with soil completely. The potting soil has to be pressed a little to remove air pockets. After repotting is done, water the plant lightly to maintain moisture. Use a ceramic pot.
8. Actions to be Done After Repotting:-
It will take some time after repotting for the plant to settle down. During the repotting time, the plants may be exposed to shock, which results in making the plant appear thirsty or wilted.
Watering properly and watering frequently continuously for a week is very important after repotting so that the plant settles down in the new place and the roots that for some reason have been damaged recover within this period.
9. Some Other Clear Signs to Repot:-
The growth rate has been slowed down and there is no appreciable growth of the plant for over a while. The plant has grown very tall and becomes heavy and it may happen that it will fall easily. The foliage is much more than the previous time. If it is more than three times the size of the current pot it requires repotting. Keep it in the garden centre or floor planters. Avoid plastic containers and tight circles. Repot your plants in tabletop planters. A larger pot should be used for outdoor plants.
10. General Rule and Requirements to Repot a Plant:-
- The plant which needs to be repotted is to be kept ready for the process.
- A planter or pot if the shifting of the plant is due to be done is required.
- The new potting mix which is to be used to be kept ready.
- If there are no drainage holes in the pot, then lava rocks are to be used.
- Gloves for preventing hands from getting hurt by any insect or sharp stone or branch.
- Watering can which is filled with water to be kept ready and handy.
- All the repotting procedures are to be done on a surface which can be easily cleaned.
11. Ideal Planter Requirements:-
The current planter need not always be changed when only the soil needs to be changed for providing the nutrients which are depleted. If buying a new planter when it needs to be shifted to a new pot, the size of the planter should be kept in mind, which varies from one to another. For example, the planter size would be not more than 2 inches in diameter for tabletop plants and 4 inches in diameter for floor plants.
For very small plants the size of the planter should be required only about 1 inch. The size of the planter is extremely important to prevent killing the plant due to extra soil and water retention. The plant likes to be free and with a fresh layer.
12. Some Ideal Repotting Practices:-
Repotting should not be done as and when bought. It should be done when there is a need for repotting. The pot used for repotting should have proper holes for good drainage of water which will prevent root rotting and will prevent the plant from dying.
The repotting should be done at a fixed interval of 2 to 3 years. This practice will give the plant root fresh soil with plenty of nutrients to promote growth and also for giving the roots more space. When repotting a new planter, the size of the planter should not be very large as the old one.
Last Updated on by kalidaspandian
