Lesson 4
Repotting — when, why, and how
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Plants tell you they need repotting. Roots circling out of the drainage holes; water running straight through the pot without wetting the soil; the plant top-heavy and tipping. These are signals.
How to repot cleanly
- 1Water the plant deeply the day before — it slides out of the pot more easily.
- 2Choose a new pot one size up only (a 12 cm to a 15 cm, not to a 25 cm).
- 3Half-fill the new pot with fresh compost mixed with slow-release feed.
- 4Tease the root ball gently — if circling, score the outside with your finger to free roots.
- 5Set the plant so its surface is 1 cm below the new pot rim. Backfill, press firm.
- 6Water in slowly, top up compost if it sinks. Keep shaded for a few days.
If a plant is too big to repot, refresh the top 3 cm of compost every spring — scrape out the old and replace. It buys you 1–2 years.