How to Determine if Potted Flowers Need Repotting?
This article provides an explanation on how to determine if potted flowers need repotting in terms of green plants and flower care, which is a very useful tip worth collecting!
Autumn is a good time to repot potted flowers. So, which potted plants need repotting in autumn? What should be paid attention to when repotting? Let's introduce some related matters of repotting flowers in autumn.
I. How to Determine if Potted Flowers Need Repotting?
What kind of potted plants need repotting and what kind don't? Here are some points to consider as a basis for deciding whether to repot, which you can compare and refer to.
1. - - More than 2 years without repotting - -
For perennial potted flowers, it is generally recommended to change the potting soil once every 1-2 years to maintain soil fertility and looseness, and also to ensure that the roots have enough growing space. If your potted flowers have not been repotted for more than 2 years, or are close to 2 years, it may be time to consider repotting. Otherwise, the plants may grow slowly due to overcrowded roots and insufficient soil fertility.
2. - - The plant's growth has significantly slowed down - -
Usually, under conditions of sufficient fertilizer and water, potted plants maintain a certain growth rate. If you find that the growth of your potted flowers has slowed down but the plant is basically healthy, it's time to consider repotting. This indicates that the nutrients in the potting soil are insufficient. Changing to fertile new soil is necessary to ensure normal growth.
3. - - Water quickly渗leaks after watering, and the potting soil easily dries out - -
Sometimes we find that potted flowers are growing well with lush branches and leaves, but watering is too tiring. Water flows out from the gaps as soon as it is poured, and the potting soil easily dries out. If this happens, it's a hint that we need to repot the plant.
This situation usually means that the pot is too small to meet the plant's growth needs, or that the plant's roots have grown too full, consuming all the soil, losing the ability to retain water and fertilizer.
How to Determine if Potted Flowers Need Repotting?
4. - - Weakened sickly seedlings - -
The above three situations are for basically healthy or healthy plants. Of course, after a hot summer, some plants may become weaker and weaker, possibly due to diseases and pests or improper watering and fertilizing, leading to root rot. In such cases, repotting is also needed, changing to a smaller pot may be more beneficial for the plant's root recovery.
II. What to Pay Attention to When Repotting Potted Flowers in Autumn?
1. - - Timing of repotting - -
When repotting potted flowers in autumn, special attention should be paid to the timing. Not the entire autumn is suitable for repotting. Generally, when the temperature stabilizes at below 28 degrees, you can consider repotting. In early autumn, high temperatures can cause plants to wilt after repotting.
But don't wait too late either. When the temperature drops below 15 degrees, many plants have gradually stopped growing. Repotting at this time is not conducive to the plants adapting to the new pot, and some cold-sensitive plants may even freeze.
Overall, when the temperature is stable between 15-28 degrees, roughly from late September to the end of October, most potted plants can be repotted. For cold-sensitive plants, it's better to repot earlier rather than later.
2. - - Let dormant plants recover before repotting - -
For some potted plants that are dormant in summer, such as Clivia, Disocactus, and Kalanchoe, autumn repotting should wait until the dormancy period is over. If repotting during dormancy, it's hard for the plant to adapt to the new pot. Repotting when they start growing is faster and easier to care for.
3. - - Avoid repotting on rainy days - -
The specific timing of repotting varies depending on the care environment. For potted plants in indoor balconies, it is recommended to repot on sunny mornings. For outdoor potted plants, avoid repotting on rainy days, as outdoor ventilation is better and there is less need to worry about root rot after repotting.
4. - - Handle the roots according to the root situation - -
In autumn, when repotting, the roots should be handled according to their condition. If just changing from a small pot to a larger one, the plant can be moved to the new pot with the original soil ball; if the roots are too vigorous and tangled, some roots need to be pruned, but not too harshly. Generally, pruning no more than 1/3 of the roots can stimulate new root growth. Too much pruning can affect plant growth.
For healthy plants, it is important to retain the protective soil when changing pots. The general requirement is: at most change 2/3 of the original soil ball, retaining 1/3 of the protective soil. Never change pots with bare roots as it can cause wilting and affect normal growth.
For weakened plants with rotting roots, it's necessary to change from a large pot to a smaller one, removing the outer soil ball and pruning the rotting roots. It's best to soak in fungicides like Metalaxyl or carbendazim before replanting.
Important note: It is not recommended to repot potted plants that are in a vigorous growth period or flowering period in autumn, as it may affect normal growth, such as roses.
The above introduction from lvzhimi.com on how to determine if potted flowers need repotting and what to pay attention to when repotting in autumn, hopes to bring a little help to your life!