This is how plants are potted correctly

class=”sc-3778e872-0 gWjAEa”>

If indoor or balcony plants are to be moved to a new pot without being damaged, there are a few things to consider. Gardener Erwin Meier-Honegger (50) explains in an interview with Blick that when in doubt, it’s better not to repot the plants because they feel more comfortable in a narrow pot. He is managing director of Ernst Meier AG, which operates an internationally renowned garden center in the Zurich Oberland.

As the expert explains, “I would recommend repotting only when the plant can no longer hold the ground in the current container and it almost falls off when you sneeze next to it.” However, between March and May, repotting is ideal if really necessary.

Comprehensive preparation

Before starting the actual work, you should make sure that you have chosen the right pot for the plant. “When replacing the pot, the new pot should not be much larger than the old one. Five centimeters more radius is sufficient,” says Meier-Honegger.

The correct substrate is also very important so that the plant can feel completely comfortable. The gardener recommends mineral substrates based on lava or pumice for perennial shrubs and indoor plants. “Alternatively, a peat-free soil substrate with a well-balanced piece of soil is also suitable.”

According to the expert, the quality of the earth can be judged relatively reliably by its weight. As an expert tip, she recommends: “Don’t choose soil by its beautiful packaging or price: it weighs added value.”

“Bravely and repot with ‘violence'”

Meier-Honegger explains that for woody outdoor plants such as shrubs and trees, the new pot should include a hole and a drainage layer placed two inches into the bottom. This can consist, for example, of pottery or pebbles so that excess water flows out more easily. Such a drainage layer is not necessary for annual plants, vegetables and herbs.

“The plants’ existing root network can be torn open before repotting,” says the gardener. It is important that the plants are not planted too deeply in the new pot and that the original surface of the soil still adhered to them remains visible at the top after repotting and is not covered.

give it time to adjust

According to the expert, repotting is like moving house: “It always takes some time to feel comfortable in the new environment. So do the plants.” In addition, watering the plants should be adjusted after repotting, as the new soil stays moist longer. “Wet feet are as uncomfortable for the plants as for us,” says Meier-Honegger.

Get expert advice

“Of course there are also differences between indoor plants and perennial, woody plants when it comes to repotting. But they mainly consist of the choice of vessels and the types of irrigation involved,” the expert says. For example, containers with or without a water tank, as well as water There are culture systems for indoor plants with or without a drain hole.

If you’re unsure of which pots are right for your plants, you should seek professional advice, Meier-Honegger says: “When making your selection, you should rely on the experience of critical experts rather than marketing promises.”

Source : Blick