Okay, here’s my blog post about watering plants after repotting, written from a personal experience perspective:
So, I finally got around to repotting some of my plants that were seriously outgrowing their old homes. I’ve been putting it off, but you know how it is – life gets busy! But today was the day. I gathered my supplies, put on some tunes, and got to work.
Getting Started
First, I picked out the new pots. I like to go a couple of inches bigger than the old pot, nothing too crazy. This gives the roots room to grow without being overwhelmed in a giant space. Then, I made sure I had enough potting mix. I always end up using more than I think I will, so it’s good to have extra on hand.
The Repotting Process
Getting the plants out of their old pots was the first challenge. Sometimes they just slide right out, but other times… well, let’s just say it involves some gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) tugging. I try to loosen the soil around the edges with a trowel or even just my fingers. The goal is to get the whole root ball out intact, without ripping too many roots.
Once the plant was out, I gently shook off some of the old soil. I didn’t go crazy, just enough to get rid of the loose stuff and give the roots a little air. If the roots were super tangled or circling around the bottom, I carefully untangled them a bit, or even made a few small cuts to encourage them to grow outwards.
Watering Time!
After getting the plants snug in their pots, it is time to water them!
I find this step helps to:
- Settle the soil.
- Establish good contact between roots and soil.
- Hydrate!
Then, I placed the plant in its new pot, making sure it was centered and at the right height. I added fresh potting mix around the sides, gently firming it down as I went. I left a little bit of space at the top, so the water wouldn’t just run off when I watered.
And that’s the key part – the watering! After repotting, I always give my plants a good, thorough watering. I watered slowly, letting the water soak in and drain out the bottom. I kept going until I saw water coming out of the drainage holes, which means the soil is nicely saturated.
Keeping an Eye on Things
I placed the newly repotted plants in a spot with bright, indirect light. I find that direct sunlight can be a bit too much for them right after they’ve been moved. I’ll keep a close eye on them over the next few days, making sure the soil stays evenly moist (but not soggy!). Sometimes they look a little droopy for a day or two, but they usually perk right back up.
That’s pretty much it! Repotting and watering – it’s not rocket science, but it does make a big difference in keeping your plants happy and healthy. It feels good to give them a fresh start and some extra room to grow.
