Potting Up Your Houseplants

Question:

An email sent by a PlantAndFlowerInfo.com reader asked about re-potting an indoor plant properly

Answer:

Regarding your comment/question on "how to repot to a new pot and how to trim without causing problems to the plant".

Since I don't have any information on the plant type, size etc. I can give you only general information on this.

First only repot if your plant really needs to be repotted. That is the roots have filled the grow pot and the plant no longer holds enough water for it to make it through at least a week before needing to be watered again. If these things are true then you should be able to repot your plant into a new grow pot of a size no larger than 2-4 inches in diameter than the pot your plant is now in. Only pot into pots that have drainage holes in the bottom and do not size up more than a few inches.

Remove the plant from the existing grow pot. This is easiest to do if the soil has been allowed to dry out most of the way. If it won't come out of its pot easily, lay it down on its side and push down on the side of the pot, this should loosen it so you can remove it. If not, you may have to cut if off.

Put enough sterilized potting mix in the bottom of the new grow pot so when you set your plant in, the top of the soil/root ball is about 1/2 to 1 inch below the edge of the pot. Take your plant and loosen the root mass with your fingers then place back in the new pot, centering it.

Slowly add soil around the sides of the root ball, firming it down as you go, until the new soil is even with the top of your plants root ball. Then water well to remove air pockets from the new soil. No plant food, just water.

Place your plant in a well lit spot, but out of direct sun and heat for a week or so and then, if you see no problems, move it back to its original location.

That should do it for repotting. As for trimming your plant, it really depends what kind of plant you have. If you can tell me that I can give you some information. If you don't know, you can attach a picture. Hope this helps. Thanks for visiting the website.

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