A lot of things can go wrong when repotting a plant, and you can damage the plant by removing it from its old pot or fail to repot it correctly.It's a lot easier to repot a plant if you know how to prepare a new pot.
Step 1: Pick a slightly larger pot.
If you are repotting your plant into a new pot, choose a pot that is larger in diameter and deeper than the plant's current pot.If you choose a pot that is larger than this, the roots will need to grow into the pot before the plant can grow.The plant needs to grow all the way down before it can grow up.
Step 2: The pot should have drainage holes.
Pick a pot that has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain.If you choose a pot that is the correct size, you don't want the water in it to cause root rot.
Step 3: Put the pot in a container and clean it.
It is important to destroy old pots before you reuse them, as they can accumulate minerals or other debris that are detrimental to plant growth.Mineral salts can keep your plant from flourishing.Disease-causing organisms can be found in other debris.For at least ten minutes, soak your pot in a solution containing bleach and water.Place it in a solution of water and detergent.To clean mineral deposits from a steel pot, use steel wool or a wire bristle brush.Plastic pots do not need a scrubbing pad.You can use a knife to remove deposits.Once you have cleaned the pot, rinse it with water and then soak it.
Step 4: The new pot needs to be washed.
If you plan on repotting a terra cotta pot, you need to soak it in water for a few hours before you start.The porous nature of Terra cotta makes it easy to absorb water.You do not want your pot to steal your plant's water.
Step 5: The holes should be covered.
It is important to have a pot with drainage holes, but you also want to make sure the soil doesn't escape through them.The drainage holes should be covered with something that will allow water to pass through.If you use a paper towel or coffee filter over the drainage holes, it will allow water to pass through so your plant doesn't drown, but it slows down the process so the water can actually soak into the soil.
Step 6: Put a small amount of soil in the new pot.
The roots of the plant need a base of soil.The roots need something to grow into, but you also want them to be far enough into the pot that they don't stick out of the top.
Step 7: Don't let the plant get wet.
If the rootball is moist, your plant will come out more easily.You should water the plant a few hours before you repot it.Even if it loses a root, this will help it maintain its health.The rootball is a part of the plant.It keeps the shape of the pot after it is removed.
Step 8: Remove the plant from the pot.
Put your hand over the top of the pot and place your thumb and index finger on the stem.After turning the pot on its side, gently work the plant back and forth until it comes out.If the plant doesn't come out after several tries, you can use a knife to cut around the edge of the soil.If you break some of the roots, you will need to trim the rootball.
Step 9: Get rid of the rootball.
If you want to make sure your plant takes to its new pot, you need to remove some of the old rootball.Cut off roots that hang below the rootball and make a hole in the bottom of it.Your plant might have a disease if the rootball is black or smelly.You might not be able to save the plant.There are roots that seem thick on the rootball.
Step 10: The remaining roots should be untangle.
When you expose the healthy roots, untangle some of the roots that are left over.The roots have more contact with the new soil.It encourages the roots to grow outside.
Step 11: The soil should be added.
Adding some soil to the pot will give your plant a place to sit.Make sure that the rootball is not more than one inch below the rim of the pot.To verify, you can measure.
Step 12: The plant should be in the new pot.
When placing the plant in the new pot, make sure it is not close to any one side of the pot than the others by looking down on it from above.You want to make sure it is upright.While looking at the plant from the side, spin the pot to make sure it isn't tilted in one direction.
Step 13: Put the pot in it's container.
You will want to put the soil around the rootball after placing the plant in the new pot.The soil line should be about 1” below the top of the pot.When you add new soil, you can stuff or fill.It means pouring the soil on top of the rootball.Stuffing is pouring the soil in and pressing it down.Stuffing the pot will help you keep the plant steady and even.
Step 14: Put water on the plant.
Once your plant is in its new pot, you need to water it.It will ensure that the plant takes to the new pot by helping the roots soak up the nutrients from the soil.Once the soil settles, you may need to add more soil to fill in empty spots.It is best to keep the plant out of the sun and high humidity after repotting.Don't fertilize it right away.