From my perspective, timing is everything. I am a vigorous but sensitive plant, and repotting is a major disruption to my world. The absolute best time to do this is in the late winter or very early spring, just as I sense the days lengthening and temperatures beginning to rise. I am still in a state of semi-dormancy; my growth has slowed, and my energy is concentrated in my roots and core. Disturbing me at this time allows me to recover from the shock and use the impending growing season to immediately re-establish myself in my new home. Repotting me in the high heat of summer stresses me to my limits as I try to support existing foliage while repairing roots. Doing it in autumn or winter, when I'm resting, can lead to root rot in cold, wet soil before I can recover.
I will tell you when I'm ready. You might notice that I'm drinking water much faster than usual, wilting quickly on a hot day, or that my growth has noticeably slowed despite good care. The most obvious sign is when you see my roots circling the inside of the pot or growing out of the drainage holes. This means I've become pot-bound, or root-bound. My root system has exhausted the available nutrients and space, and it's starting to choke itself. While I actually bloom best when a little cramped, there's a limit. If left too long, I will become chronically stressed, unable to uptake water and nutrients efficiently, making me weak and susceptible to pests and disease.
Please be gentle. My roots are my lifeline, and they are more brittle and sensitive than you might think. When you remove me from my current pot, do not simply yank me out by my stems. Gently squeeze the pot to loosen the soil ball and tip me out sideways. Once I'm out, you must tease apart the outer root mass. If my roots are a tight, tangled mat, use your fingers or a gentle stream of water to carefully loosen them and encourage them to grow outward into the new soil. Avoid aggressive pruning of the roots unless absolutely necessary; a light trim of any circling or excessively long roots is sufficient. Severe root pruning will set me back significantly.
I am not fussy, but I have two non-negotiable demands: excellent drainage and a pot that is only slightly larger than my previous one. Choose a new container that is only 1 to 2 inches wider in diameter. A pot that is too large will hold excessive moisture around my roots, which I despise and which will lead to root rot. The pot must have adequate drainage holes. My soil mix is crucial. I need a well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix. A blend designed for cactus or citrus is excellent, or you can amend a standard potting mix with perlite, pine bark, or pumice to ensure it is loose and fast-draining. I do not like to sit in heavy, water-retentive soil.
Immediately after repotting, give me a thorough but gentle watering to help settle the new soil around my roots and eliminate any large air pockets. Then, place me back in a location with bright, indirect light for a week or two. Please avoid placing me in direct, harsh sunlight immediately, as I am in a vulnerable state and can easily become scorched. Hold off on fertilizing for at least 4-6 weeks. My new soil has plenty of nutrients, and my focus needs to be on root repair, not supporting new growth fueled by fertilizer, which could also burn my tender roots.
