Hello, human. It's me, your begonia. I've been feeling a bit cramped in my pot lately; my roots are circling and I'm not growing as vigorously as I used to. I understand you want to help me by giving me a new home. From my perspective, here is how we can do this together to ensure I thrive.
Please don't just repot me on any random day. I have a cycle, a rhythm. The best time for this big move is in the early spring, just as I'm waking up from my winter rest and starting to put out new growth. This gives my entire root system a full growing season to settle into its new space. If you repot me while I'm in full bloom or dormant, the shock might be too much, and I could drop my flowers or stop growing altogether.
My new pot is crucial. Please choose one that is only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than my current home. A pot that is too large will hold excess soil that stays wet for too long, and my roots, which dislike sogginess, could rot. Most importantly, ensure it has excellent drainage holes. Then, select a well-draining potting mix. A standard potting soil amended with perlite or orchid bark is perfect—it provides structure, retains some moisture, but allows excess water to flow away from my roots.
Please be kind and gentle. Water me lightly a day before the repotting; this makes it easier to slide me out and reduces stress. Tip my current pot sideways, support my stem base with your fingers, and gently coax me out. If I'm root-bound, you might need to tap the pot's sides. Once I'm out, look at my roots. If they are densely wound in a circle, please gently tease them apart with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward into the new soil instead of continuing to circle.
Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. The depth should allow me to sit so that my crown (where my stems meet the roots) is about a half-inch to an inch below the pot's rim. Center me in the pot. Then, carefully fill in around the sides with more fresh mix. Gently firm the soil around my base to eliminate large air pockets, but please do not pack it down too tightly—my roots need air to breathe!
After the move, I will be tender and need time to adjust. Water me thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes. This helps settle the soil around my roots. Then, place me in a spot with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun for a week or so, as I am more susceptible to sunburn while I'm recovering. Hold off on fertilizing for at least 4-6 weeks; my new soil has nutrients, and my focus needs to be on root establishment, not new leaf growth.
