How To Pot A Plant

Are you among the people who consider potting a plant too difficult a feat to attempt? I know such people –they doubt their own ability and ask someone to do it for them. It is true, it must be done carefully and well to give the plant a fair chance, but the actual operation is very simple, and when everything is ready, takes only a few minutes.

In determining the size of pot in which to place a newly-rooted plant, or a plant dug from the garden, remember that the roots need only comfortable space. Plants often spend all their strength in filling a too-large pot with roots instead of making buds. In other words, many plants bloom better if their roots have limited space and are somewhat pot-bound.

If old pots are used, they must be scrubbed clean, inside as well as out. If new pots (clay) are used it is a good idea to soak them in clean water for several hours or they may rob the newly set plants of badly needed moisture at a critical time. Allow wet pots to dry before using. Have at hand clean pieces of broken crockery, sphagnum moss and potting soil.

If you are preparing to set a newly-rooted plant such as a geranium, episcia, or begonia in a pot, place a piece of broken crockery directly over the drainage hole in the bottom. The piece should be large enough to cover the hole. Several smaller pieces may be used but I have found that when a plant has to be repotted, the plant intact with its ball of earth can be pushed out of the pot more easily if one has a solid piece against which to press. Add a layer of sphagnum moss. If no moss is at hand one can use other coarse material such as partially decayed leaves. This insures good drainage and prevents the soil from working through.

The potting soil should be damp but not wet. If you squeeze a handful and it makes a mud ball it is too wet. The ideal stage is to have it retain its shape but be practically ready to fall apart. Estimate the depth of the plant roots and fill the pot to this point with soil. Then holding the plant in the center of the pot with the left hand, use the right hand to spoon in soil around the plant. Firm the soil with the thumbs or the handle of the spoon from time to time as you fill the pot. Leave from inch on a small pot to 1/2 inch on a larger pot between the top of the soil and the upper edge of the pot to hold water until it drains down. If the pot is filled to the brim with soil the water when poured on runs over the side instead of soaking into the soil.

If one digs up a petunia, a cup-flower, or other outdoor plant to beautify the winter window garden, the potting method would be the same.

Same as Pot Bound

The method is also similar if a plant becomes pot-bound and requires shifting to the next size pot, or if repotting for any reason when there is no necessity to disturb the ball of earth containing the roots. Those who work with plants a great deal can tell by the appearance of the plant whether it is pot-bound and needs a shift. If one is not sure, the plant can be knocked out of the pot in this way and the ball of earth inspected: Let the soil surface become quite dry. Then tap the pot all around with a wooden handle or on the edge of a wooden table. This helps to loosen the soil around the sides of the pot. With the right hand hold a small bamboo stick, a nail, or a nut pick to push through the drainage hole against the broken piece of crockery while holding the inverted pot in the left hand with the stem of the plant between the index and middle fingers to catch the plant as it is pushed out.

If the outside of the ball of soil is netted thickly with dark roots that appear to have lost the fresh creamy color of healthy growing roots, then it is time to place the plant in a size larger pot with fresh soil. Remove any soil at the top that contains no roots and continue the potting process as with a newly-rooted plant.

If for some reason you wish to remove all the soil from a potted plant, place the roots of the plant in water, after removing it from the pot, and let them soak well. Then swish the roots gently through a number of clean waters to remove all the soil, until the roots appear clean and free of any dirt. From this point proceed with the potting as you would with a freshly rooted plant.

After-potting care is important. You may water the plant from the top if you wish but I prefer to set the pot in a pan of water and leave it until the surface is wet. This gives the moisture a chance to penetrate through the entire contents of the pot. Let it drain well. If the air is very dry or if it is a plant that is inclined to wilt, set the pot in a plastic bag and close the top with a rubber band. Keep it out of the sun. Open the bag each day for a few minutes and after three or four days, or a week, the plant should be ready at least to have the bag left open, perhaps even ready to set in its place in the window.

by O Tierman

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