Once again about plant transplantation

Let's go back to the topic of transplanting, which is especially relevant on spring days, when many plants need an annual or regular transplant.

In this article, you will learn about the basics, the transplanting process and the composition of substrates for different indoor plants.

To correctly perform a transplant, you should consider its main points.

Transplant highlights

Time for replanting. The best period is the beginning of growth or early spring. In summer and autumn, plants do not tolerate transplanting well, with the exception of fast-growing plants (chlorophytum, asparagus and tradescantia). After purchase, you should immediately transplant the flower if it does not bloom. From September, transplanting is stopped, especially if the plants are resting in winter.

Transplant substrate. The high-quality substrate is marked with a quality mark on the packaging, contains no large parts and is soft to the touch. Each type of plant has its own substrate that meets all the requirements.

Term of soil change. Young plants are transplanted into new soil every year. Mature plants - once every 2-3 years. When grown from cuttings, replant 2-3 times throughout the year. If the substrate in the pot sinks on the sides and a white coating appears on the surface, then transplantation should be carried out.

Signs for transplantation. If water is poorly absorbed when watering, then the root system has occupied the entire volume. If the plant has become unstable. deceleration and cessation of growth, discoloration of the leaf blade are clear signs for transplantation.

Transplant process

Transplanting plants consists in moving from one pot to another or leaving it in the same, but with the obligatory change of soil.

The new soil contains many nutrients for further growth. The root system develops in parallel with the growth of the plant. Insufficient pot volume leads to root twisting and disruption of the feeding process.

The drainage layer should be at least 3-5 cm (expanded clay, gravel). The day before replanting, the plant is watered for better extraction.

After excavation, the dried roots are cut off, an earthen lump is placed in the center of the new pot. Its upper part should be covered with new soil by 1-2 cm. New soil is filled up along the edges, compacted and watered.

Additional work

Replacing part of the substrate. Carried out when growing large plants in large pots. The upper part of the substrate is replaced. Repeat 2 times during the year, in early spring and late summer.

Root pruning when transplanting. Remove all dead, rotten, dry and sluggish. Trim to healthy tissue. Tangled roots at the bottom of the pot are also trimmed or untangled.

Substrate composition for some plants

The substrate for Mediterranean plants (mimosa, oleander) consists of garden soil, sand, high peat and humus bark taken in equal parts.

Ampel plants - garden soil, heather with sand and humus from the bark in equal parts.

Bonsai is heather land, leaf humus, river sand and garden land in equal parts.

Palm trees - fine river sand, humus from bark, brown and high moor peat, rotted manure in equal parts.

Soil for orchids. Must have excellent bandwidth. A high drainage layer must be laid out at the bottom of the pot. Orchid transplantation is carried out in the spring if the plant has become cramped (once every 3-4 years). They start after flowering. A special substrate is used that contains particles no more than 1-2 cm. Watering only 8-10 days after transplanting.

Cactus substrate. Should pass water well, moisture stagnation can cause root rot. In specialized stores there are prepared mixtures consisting of sand, peat and pozzolana. When self-preparing the soil, two-thirds of the usual substrate for transplanting and one-third of coarse sand are used.

You don't need soil to grow plants.

Hydroponics is a growing method based on replacing the soil with a nutrient solution (water and fertilizer). Expanded clay or other inert material is used to hold the root system. Not suitable for plants with a pronounced dormant period.

We will talk about the hydroponic method in other articles, and in this one we will give a few more recommendations for transplanting into soil:

• Transplanting flowering plants is not recommended, there is a possibility that the flowers will fall off. It is also not worth replanting before flowering.
• After transplanting, the plant takes several weeks to get used to the substrate.
• Store soil for plants contains trace elements and fertilizers, which will last for a room flower for 2-3 months. The plant is not recommended to be fed during this period.