Home Gardener........Fall is a Great Time to Repot Plants

Recently a friend asked me about repotting something.  Even though he is a great vegetable gardener he didn’t know much about this subject.  I explained some of the basics.  Maybe some of you readers could use a few pointers….

Gardeners repot things because they have outgrown the current pot, because the soil in the pot is worn out, because the pot has broken, or because you want it to grow more - chose a bigger pot so the plant will expand to fill the space.

When you repot a plant do not go from a four inch pot to a twelve inch one.  Generally you should go up two or three inches more in diameter; that means an inch or so on each side of the plant’s soil when you put the whole thing into the bigger pot. Too much is not helpful for your plant’s health. 

Make sure the new pot has a drainage hole in the bottom.  If it doesn’t don’t plant anything directly in it.  That would be a huge no no!  If you want to use that hole-less pot you will need a liner pot; a slightly smaller pot that you grow your plant in.  Then you slide that into the pot that has no bottom hole.  Do be careful; when it rains you will need to tip out the water that has accumulated in this outer pot that can’t drain.  Better yet, don’t use such a pot outside.  They are not a good choice as a waterlogged plant is soon a dead plant.

Clay pots are another less than stellar choice.  The reason being is that if they are unglazed they allow the plant to dry out too rapidly.  The water evaporates on unglazed pottery much too quickly for the comfort of your plants.  Give them away… to people you don’t like! Glazed pots with bottom holes work just fine.

You can put some pebbles in the bottom of the pot to help drainage.  Some people put too many drainage materials and lose the usage of a large proportion of the pot.  So, just a thin layer on the bottom is enough to assist in draining.

When you place the plant into the new pot on top of the drainage pebbles center it. If the soil seems worn out, break off some of the outer soil before placing it in the new pot. Put fresh potting soil around it to fill in completely but don't pack it down too firmly.  Make sure the plant's soil top surface is at the same level in the new pot as it was before you repotted it.

Some people put a saucer under their potted plants, this is fine.  Especially for orchids as it helps maintain humidity around the plant.  Do be careful with outside pots that the saucer doesn’t sit day after day full of water as it wicks up into the pot and can lead to the classic waterlogged condition that will kill your plant in only a short time.  So check your plants and dump excess water after a big rain if the saucer has the capacity for much water.

I use a bag of organic potting soil, not garden soil to repot plants.  Also, I don’t care for those mixes full of chemical fertilizers. They are full of salts and can be a bit harsh on your plants.  You can add vermiculite if your chosen potting soil seems heavy.  If the plant is a cactus there should be a good percentage of sand in that potting soil mixture.

There are special potting soils that have materials that keep your plants moist in their pots for extended periods of time; they can be a boon if you are away from home often.  Another choice is a planter that has a watering reservoir - helpful for those who don’t like to water too often.  Gardening catalogs carry them as do some garden centers.

If your plant is not thriving anymore you might consider repotting – some fresh soil full of nutrients could perk it up rapidly.  Plants that have been in the same pot for several years are probably ready for the repotting process.  A few plants like to be pot bound, clivias and jade trees come to mind but most plants like more space and will reward you with growth and possibly some lovely blossoms.  Before fall is a good time to consider all your potted plants and spend some time moving them around to larger pots with fresh potting soil.  You will be glad you took the time when they perk up!