Repotting is an essential part of maintaining your vertical garden’s health and vibrancy. It allows your plants to thrive, ensuring they have enough room to grow and enough nutrients to feed on. In addition, repotting can also serve as a preventive measure against pests and diseases. If you want to keep your vertical garden looking lush and beautiful, this detailed guide will walk you through the steps on how to repot your plants.
Before jumping into the process of actually repotting your plants, it is first important to identify when your plants need repotting. Telltale signs to watch out for include stunted growth, wilting, yellowing of leaves, and water sitting on the topsoil because the plant roots have already filled up the pot and there is no room for the water to seep in.
1. Gathering Your Supplies
First things first, gather all the necessary supplies. You will need new pots, depending on where you want to place your plants, a high-quality potting mix, a watering can, gloves, pruning shears, and fertilizer. Ideally, the new pot should be no more than 2 inches larger in diameter than the original pot. This helps prevent the plant from absorbing too much water, which can lead to root rot.
2. Prepare The New Pot
Begin by covering the drainage hole in your new pot with a piece of broken clay pot or stone. This will prevent soil from spilling out but still allow water to drain freely. Then, fill the pot with a layer of fresh potting soil. It serves as a nutrient-rich bed for your plant and ensures it has room to grow.
3. Remove The Plant From The Old Pot
Wet the plant in the original pot before starting the repotting process. This will make the plant easier to remove. To remove the plant, turn the pot sideways, hold the plant gently by its stem or leaves, and tap the bottom of the pot until the plant slides out. Keep the root ball intact as much as possible.
4. Prune The Roots and Give Nutrients
Once the plant is out of the pot, investigate its roots. If they’re tightly woven in a circular pattern or looking congested, it’s a sign that the plant is root-bound. Loosen the root ball and prune the dead or overly-long roots. For the nutrients, sprinkle some slow-release granular fertilizer onto the root ball, as the roots will take up the granules over time.
5. Planting The Plant
Now, place the plant into the new pot. Adjust the amount of soil at the bottom in order to ensure the plant sits at the correct height. The top of the root ball should sit half an inch below the rim of the pot, allowing adequate space for watering.
6. Filling In With Soil
Fill in the remaining space around the edges of your pot with fresh potting soil, but avoid packing it down; you don’t want to compress the roots or cause water to pool on the surface.
7. Watering And Post-Care
Once done, water the plant thoroughly. The water should seep through the bottom, ensuring all the roots are wet. Lastly, position the plant in a shaded area for a couple of days to recuperate before re-introducing it to its original position in the vertical garden.
Remember that there is no hard and fast rule about when you should repot your plants. It all depends on the type of plant, its growth rate, and the environment in which it is growing. Some may need repotting annually, whereas others can go for two or three years.
Repotting can have a significant impact on the appearance and health of the plants in your vertical garden. Regular repotting helps the plants to grow healthier and more robust root systems, ensuring they are better able to withstand various challenges. Knowing how to properly repot your plants can make the difference between a thriving vertical garden and one that’s simply surviving. So, don’t forget to make repotting a part of your regular plant care routine.
