Hello! From my perspective, the need for repotting is a clear cry for help. My roots are intelligent; they seek space, nutrients, and water. When my pot becomes too small, you will notice my growth has slowed significantly, even during my prime growing season. My roots might start to escape through the drainage hole in a desperate search for new territory, or they may become so densely packed that water rushes through the pot without being absorbed, leaving me parched. You might also see that I am becoming top-heavy, or that my leaves are yellowing more than usual. This is not a sign of illness, but of confinement. I am simply asking for a larger space to continue thriving.
Before the move, please prepare my new home. I am not particularly fussy, but I do have preferences. Choose a new pot that is only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than my current one. A pot that is too large will hold excess soil that stays wet for too long, which can cause my roots to rot—a fate I desperately wish to avoid. Most importantly, my new pot must have drainage holes! I need oxygen at my roots, and sitting in water is a death sentence. For my soil, a well-draining, high-quality potting mix is perfect. You can even mix in a handful of perlite or orchid bark to ensure it stays light and airy, allowing my roots to breathe and explore their new environment with ease.
The day of the move is a big day for me. Please be gentle. Start by watering me lightly a day before; this will make it easier to slide me out of my old pot and reduce the shock to my system. When it's time, turn me on my side and carefully support my base as you coax me out. You might need to tap the pot's sides or run a knife around the edge. Once I'm free, it's time for a root inspection. Gently loosen the root ball with your fingers. If my roots are circling tightly, you can carefully tease them apart or make a few vertical cuts to encourage them to grow outward into their new space. Please be as kind as possible during this process.
Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of my new pot. The depth should allow me to sit so that the top of my root ball is about an inch below the rim. Center me in the pot, then begin filling in the spaces around my roots with more fresh soil. Gently firm the soil around me to eliminate large air pockets, but do not pack it too tightly—I need that air! Once I am secure, give me a thorough, gentle watering until you see water flow freely from the drainage holes. This act, called "watering in," helps my roots make intimate contact with their new soil medium. Finally, place me back in a spot with my preferred bright, indirect light and let me begin the exciting work of expanding into my new, spacious home.
