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WEEKLY RECORD -- BIL BOWDEN
Where to start: If those potted plants sitting on the window sill or the desk look a little wilted and tired, like 'Lazarus' here, maybe they are rootbound. It could be time to take a look at their root systems and to give them a little more 'leg room' to grow and flourish. We started by covering the workspace with plastic and trimming the dead and dying leaves from the bottom of this office peace lily.
Where to start: If those potted plants sitting on the window sill or the desk look a little wilted and tired, like 'Lazarus' here, maybe they are rootbound. It could be time to take a look at their root systems and to give them a little more 'leg room' to grow and flourish. We started by covering the workspace with plastic and trimming the dead and dying leaves from the bottom of this office peace lily.
WEEKLY RECORD -- BIL BOWDEN
Prepare the pot: Since the new pots don't have drainage holes, they were lined with a layer of small stones to keep the soil from being overmoist.
Prepare the pot: Since the new pots don't have drainage holes, they were lined with a layer of small stones to keep the soil from being overmoist.
'Start with a rich organic potting soil. Make sure it is a good organic type of potting soil. Use a larger pot, not a huge pot. Don't go from 4 inches to 12 inches, but go up about one step, from 4 inches to 6 inches. If the pot is too large, the plant is not going to do well,' said Connie Schmotzer, Penn State Consumer Horticulture Educator. Spring is the best time to repot your houseplants, said Schmotzer, who coordinates the York County Master Gardener Program with more than 150 volunteers who provide gardening tips and advice through various programs and services, including the gardening hot line.
Need help? Call the line at 840-7408 from
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12:30 p.m. weekdays.
WEEKLY RECORD -- BIL BOWDEN
Moving out: If the roots are poking out of the drain holes in the bottom of the pot, that's a pretty sure sign the plant is rootbound and should be repotted. To check the root system, gently tip the plant from its existing pot. If the roots are wrapped around the soil or if there are more roots than soil, the plant needs to be transferred to a larger pot with fresh, good-quality potting soil. Once you've exposed the roots, check to see that they're white and healthy. Remove any that are brown, discolored or diseased before repotting, and check for insects such as the root mealybug. Then, fill your new pot about one-third of the way with a good-quality potting soil that is light, drains well and allows the roots to breathe. 'It does not hurt if you cut a little of the root off the bottom of the plant before you repot it,' said Master Gardener Clare Johnson.
Moving out: If the roots are poking out of the drain holes in the bottom of the pot, that's a pretty sure sign the plant is rootbound and should be repotted. To check the root system, gently tip the plant from its existing pot. If the roots are wrapped around the soil or if there are more roots than soil, the plant needs to be transferred to a larger pot with fresh, good-quality potting soil. Once you've exposed the roots, check to see that they're white and healthy. Remove any that are brown, discolored or diseased before repotting, and check for insects such as the root mealybug. Then, fill your new pot about one-third of the way with a good-quality potting soil that is light, drains well and allows the roots to breathe. 'It does not hurt if you cut a little of the root off the bottom of the plant before you repot it,' said Master Gardener Clare Johnson.
WEEKLY RECORD -- BIL BOWDEN
Once you have removed the plant from the pot, it is a good idea to separate the roots, Master Gardener Jim DeRaleau said. 'Pull the roots apart or make little cuts around the edges of the root ball and gently separate the roots where you make the cuts to help the roots spread out,' he said in response to a recent call to the Master Gardener Hot Line. We were a little less gentle with Lazarus the peace lily, but we also separated him into three different new pots, so we had to go the whole way through a few of the roots.
Once you have removed the plant from the pot, it is a good idea to separate the roots, Master Gardener Jim DeRaleau said. 'Pull the roots apart or make little cuts around the edges of the root ball and gently separate the roots where you make the cuts to help the roots spread out,' he said in response to a recent call to the Master Gardener Hot Line. We were a little less gentle with Lazarus the peace lily, but we also separated him into three different new pots, so we had to go the whole way through a few of the roots.
WEEKLY RECORD -- BIL BOWDEN
Once we'd put Lazarus (or, rather, a third of him), in a new pot, we began adding more potting soil. 'Put in soil all the way to the top of the pot, and push it down so it covers all of the roots; water it thoroughly and let it drain,' said Master Gardener Clare Johnson. After you're finished, Master Gardener Connie Schmotzer said, your plant 'will probably show a little shock. They always do. Put it back where you had it because it was probably "comfortable" there, and in a couple of weeks it will be looking healthy again,' she said.
Once we'd put Lazarus (or, rather, a third of him), in a new pot, we began adding more potting soil. 'Put in soil all the way to the top of the pot, and push it down so it covers all of the roots; water it thoroughly and let it drain,' said Master Gardener Clare Johnson. After you're finished, Master Gardener Connie Schmotzer said, your plant 'will probably show a little shock. They always do. Put it back where you had it because it was probably "comfortable" there, and in a couple of weeks it will be looking healthy again,' she said.
WEEKLY RECORD -- BIL BOWDEN
End result: Once the repotting is completed, your plant or plants can be returned to the previous spot, as long as it provides the right conditions. Most plants do not like cold, drafty areas; some plants like direct sunlight, but others do not. Check on what conditions your plant prefers to find it a new home; the offspring of Lazarus here ventured back into our office, but to a spot with a little more light.
End result: Once the repotting is completed, your plant or plants can be returned to the previous spot, as long as it provides the right conditions. Most plants do not like cold, drafty areas; some plants like direct sunlight, but others do not. Check on what conditions your plant prefers to find it a new home; the offspring of Lazarus here ventured back into our office, but to a spot with a little more light.
Share your thoughts and photos! Are you particularly proud of one of your houseplants or a plant in your garden? Visit the Community section of inyork.com/ydr for a slideshow that walks you through the repotting process, and while you're there, click the 'Share your garden photos' link to post your own shots.
