From my roots outward, I can feel it. The once-loomy soil that cradled my roots has become tight and exhausted. The water you pour on me rushes through the pot too quickly, leaving my thirsty roots grasping for moisture and nutrients. My growth has slowed; I feel confined. The tell-tale signs are there for you to see as well: roots peeking out of the drainage holes, or a pot that feels lighter and dries out in a flash. This isn't a sign of illness, but of success! I have thrived under your care and have simply outgrown my current home. It is time for a gentle transition.
Before we begin, please prepare my new space. I will need a new pot, just one or two sizes larger than my current one. A pot that is too large will hold excessive moisture around my roots, which can lead to rot—a terrifying prospect for me. Most importantly, the new pot must have drainage holes; my roots need to breathe and must never sit in water. Next, prepare a fresh, well-draining potting mix. A blend designed for houseplants or tropical plants is perfect, as it will provide the right balance of aeration and moisture retention. Have a trowel, some clean, sharp scissors, and perhaps a newspaper to keep your workspace tidy.
Please be gentle. A day or so before repotting, give me a drink to ensure my roots are hydrated and less brittle. When you are ready, tip my current pot on its side and carefully slide me out. You may need to gently tap the sides and bottom of the pot to encourage me to leave. Do not pull me out by my trunk, as this can damage my stem. If I am truly root-bound, you might need to carefully run a knife around the inside edge of the pot to loosen the root ball. Hold me with care, for my root system is my very foundation.
Now, take a close look at my roots. Gently loosen the outer layer of the root ball with your fingers. This helps my roots understand they can spread out into their new environment. Look for any roots that are circling the outside excessively, or any that are black, mushy, or smell bad. These are unhealthy and should be trimmed away with your clean, sharp scissors. This minor pruning might seem drastic, but it encourages strong, new growth and prevents diseased roots from causing problems in my new home. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan in color.
Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. The depth should be such that when I am placed on top of it, the top of my root ball sits about an inch below the rim of the pot. Center me in the new pot, ensuring I am standing straight. Then, begin filling in the spaces around my root ball with the new soil. Gently press the soil down to eliminate large air pockets, but do not compact it too firmly—my roots need room to breathe. Make sure the soil level remains the same on my trunk; burying me deeper than before can cause the stem to rot.
Once I am securely positioned, give me a thorough, gentle watering. This will help the new soil settle around my roots and eliminate any remaining air pockets. Allow the water to drain freely from the holes. After this, place me back in a spot with bright, indirect light. I may be a little stressed from the move, so it is normal if I look slightly droopy for a few days. Please resist the urge to fertilize me for at least a month, as my new soil has plenty of nutrients and my roots need time to heal and establish themselves without the stress of extra salts from fertilizer.
