Don’t Repot – Double pot or cache pot

One mistake many people make as soon as they bring their new plant home is – repotting the plant. I haven’t quite figured out why. Maybe it makes them feel good or they think the plant will do better.

Generally, the plants you purchase can stay in their growing pot for a long time.

Most of the plants you buy will be in a plastic or azalea pot. I realize that these pots aren’t the most attractive. Sometimes the plant may be a little top heavy and unstable depending on the plant variety.

You do have another choice to “spruce up” the plant look – “Double pot” or “Cachepot” your plants, that’s what the professional plantscaper does.

The pot or container that the plant is potted directly in is called a grow pot. The decorative more-attractive container that you’ll be putting your potted plant in is called a cachepot, which can be pronounced cash-pot.

There are so many choices on the market to use as cachepots:

• Glazed pottery
• Italian terra cotta clay pots
• Fiberglass pots
• Bonsai pots
• Wooden containers
• Bowls
• Metal
• Baskets
• and much, much more

Keeping your plant in the standard-size plastic grow pot is usually your best choice. All you’ll need to do is place the pot and plant inside a larger decorative container.

There are many benefits to cachepots or double potting..

The aesthetic value – cachepots give the plant a “finished look”

• Plant and the roots are not disturbed
• Plants can be replaced if you don’t like the look or the way the plant is performing
• No repotting and making a mess
• No heavy pots to move around
• Pots without drain holes can be used
• Cachepots can serve as a saucer by holding the excess water that drains out of the grow pot

If your cachepot has a drainage hole, you can slip a saucer inside the cachepot and under the grow pot to catch any drainage.

When you double pot don’t try to force a 10 inch growing pot into a 10 inch decorative pot. Make sure you use a container larger then the grow pot. If the decorative pot is too tall your can use a piece of Styrofoam in the bottom of the cachepot to raise the plant. This also helps keep the drained water away from the roots.

If you want to dress things up a little more you can hide the grow pot and soil by putting a layer of dried Spanish moss, bark chips, or river stones, on top of the soil at the base of the plant. As I said that’s what the professional plantscaper’s do.

There are lots of different decorative pot solutions that can be used as cachepots.

Woven baskets: Baskets make great cachepots, they’re usually inexpensive and light in weight. The down side is they rot away quickly after coming in contact with moisture. To prevent the rotting, line the basket insides with plastic before putting in your plant. Also, use a saucer in the bottom for extra moisture protection.

Plastic pots and containers: What they can do with plastic now…Plastic pots come in just about every shape, size, and color you can imagine. Some of them even have self-watering systems built right in.

Glazed ceramic pots: These come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and styles. You can find something to match just about every decor. They’re sturdy but can be very heavy to move around.

Italian terra cotta pots: They can do a lot with plastic but I think the Italian terra cotta pots may have them beat. There are so many choices from very ornate designs, fancy ribbed or rolled edges and brushed finishes.

Fiberglass: Tubs or boxes are great for larger plants or group plantings. You’ll see these kind of planters used in many of the theme parks. The containers can be fairly large (up to 60 inches) lightweight, but easy to roll around on wheels or casters. Wood and plastic pots can also be used the same way.

Metal: You’ll find brass and chrome, some that look like regular pots and others that look like buckets. It really depends on the look you want.

Cement: There are some unusual designs just like the Italian terra cotta but they are heavy and should be water proofed.

Plants planted directly inside terra cotta and cement pots can stain the outside from the salts and minerals in the soil and water. To keep them looking good use them strictly as cachepots.

One trick that professional plantscapers use on terra cotta and cement pots is to paint the inside and bottom with a coat of waterproof paint or shellac.

The biggest advantage in double potting is that you haven’t disturbed the plant and it’s roots, that reduces shock. That’s a first big step in being successful with your indoor plants.

So there you have it. Don’t repot – Cachepot or Double pot – just like the pros.

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