This operation consists of transferring a plant grown in a pot to another larger pot. The purpose of repotting can also be:

  • to limit the growth of a plant growing in excess, by moving it and replacing it in a pot of the same size.
  • To permanently stop the growth of a plant having an abnormal development, by transferring it to a pot with a smaller diameter, after having reduced the volume of the root system.

Much like planting, repotting can be done in a root ball or bare root.

The rules to observe for repotting

Although easy to perform, repotting requires observing the following rules.
The plants to be repotted should be placed in pots of a size in relation to the volume of the root system. If pots that are too small are used, the underground system is blocked against the interior wall and unable to develop; the subjects then remain tied and risk disappearing.

On the contrary, if one uses pots that are too large, the underground system is not able to absorb moisture from the whole growing soil, which leads to yellowing of the leaves and sometimes to decay. fast.
Before repotting, it is essential to wash the pots already used with a brush, so as to avoid disease germs, insect larvae and toxins. This washing must be followed by complete drying, otherwise the humidity remaining in the pores of the refractory earth of the pot risks maintaining an excessive state of humidity at the roots, preventing normal evaporation.
Repotting should be done at the same times as for planting.

The practice of repotting

Repotting involves three successive operations: the preparation of the pot, the removal of plants to be repotted and the actual repotting.

Preparing the pot

After washing and drying, the water drainage hole must be isolated from the cultivation soil, either by a bed of pebbles larger than the diameter of the hole – which constitutes drainage – or by a pottery shard. , the convex part of which must be placed opposite the bottom of the pot. The latter should be filled only up to a third of the earthy mixture to be used, which facilitates handling during repotting.

Deplantation of plants to be repotted

The same rules must be observed as for deplanting. To facilitate the operation, the cultivation soil must be watered in such a way as to adhere to the roots and be able to retain a sufficient root ball. When the plant to be potted is already in a pot, simply place it upside down and strike the rim of the pot on a protruding object, one hand holding the pot, while the other pulls the plant, grabbing it by the its base.
In the case of displacement in a clod, it is advisable, before repotting, to reduce this clod in order to leave between it and the inner wall of the pot sufficient space to add soil.

The stages of repotting

The plant should be placed vertically above the pot, with the stem in the center, then lowered until the top of the roots or root ball reaches a level that allows it to be covered with 2-3 cm of earthy mixture. .
The pot is filled by sliding soil around the root system; the gradual compaction of the soil is obtained by lightly striking the bottom of the pot on a hard object and while imparting a rotational movement to the pot itself.
It is then necessary to limit the potted plant by passing the fingertips over the inner edges of the pot to a depth of a few centimeters. This operation can also be done with a spatula.
After these various operations, an empty space of 1 to 2 cm must remain between the upper level of the soil and the rim of the pot so that watering can be carried out without the earth being drawn outside the latter.
Repotting should be followed by copious watering which provides the necessary moisture to the soil and allows regular compaction of the soil.
During repotting, there is a momentary interruption in the nutrition of the plants until they are resumed, which causes a certain physiological imbalance. It is therefore recommended, during this period of a few days, to protect the plants from sunshine and drafts, and to practice daily bathing of the foliage, mainly when the latter is delicate (in the case of soft plants).

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