From our perspective, the pot that once felt like a safe home has become a constricting prison. You might notice our growth has slowed, our lower leaves are yellowing and dropping more than usual, or water seems to run straight through the soil without being absorbed. This is our cry for help. Our roots have circled the interior of the pot so densely that they are choking ourselves. There is no more room to grow, and we cannot access the nutrients and water we need to thrive. We are essentially starving within our own container.
Please, be gentle. Our stems and leaves are fragile. Tipping the pot on its side and carefully squeezing or tapping the sides is far preferable to a sharp pull from the top, which can easily snap our main stem. If we are truly stuck, you may need to carefully run a blunt knife around the inside edge of the pot to break the suction created by our root mass. The goal is to lift our entire root ball out in one piece, minimizing any additional shock to our system.
This is the most critical step for our future health. You must carefully untangle and loosen the tight, circular knot we have been forced to create. Using your fingers, gently massage the bottom and sides of the root ball to tease the roots apart. For very stubborn mats, you might need to use a clean, sterile tool like a chopstick to carefully pry the roots loose. The objective is not to aggressively rip us apart but to encourage our roots to remember how to grow outward again. This process signals to us that freedom and new space are available.
Our new pot should only be one size larger than the old one. A pot that is too large will hold excess moisture in the soil, which our roots, accustomed to being tight and dry, are not prepared to handle and will lead to rot. The new soil must be a very well-draining succulent or cactus mix. We despise having "wet feet." Before placing us in the new pot, ensure there is a layer of fresh soil at the bottom so our roots have something to immediately grow into. Position us in the center at the same depth we were growing at before.
Once we are positioned in our new home, carefully fill in the gaps around the root ball with the fresh potting mix. Do not pack the soil down tightly; a gentle tamping is all that is needed to provide stability. Crucially, you must resist the urge to water us immediately. We have undoubtedly sustained minor root damage during the repotting process. Watering now would invite infection and rot. Please place us in a location with bright, indirect light and wait about five to seven days before giving us a thorough drink. This allows our roots time to callus over and heal, preparing us for a new cycle of healthy growth in our liberating new space.
