Okay, here’s my blog post about watering plants after repotting, written from my personal experience and in a casual, conversational tone:
So, I finally got around to repotting some of my houseplants that were seriously root-bound. You know, the ones where the roots are circling the bottom of the pot like a tangled mess? Yeah, those.
First, I gathered all my supplies. This included:
- New pots (slightly bigger than the old ones, of course)
- Fresh potting mix (I went with a well-draining mix because I tend to overwater)
- A trowel (or a big spoon, whatever works)
- My trusty watering can
- Some old newspapers to keep the mess to a minimum (because I’m clumsy)
The Repotting Process
I started by gently taking each plant out of its old pot. Sometimes this required a little bit of wiggling and tugging, but I tried to be as careful as possible to avoid damaging the roots. If a plant was really stuck, I used the trowel to loosen the soil around the edges.
Once the plant was out, I loosened the root ball a bit. I just used my fingers to gently tease apart some of the circling roots. This helps them grow outwards into the new soil instead of continuing to circle around.
Then, I added a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new pot. I placed the plant in the center, making sure the top of the root ball was about an inch below the rim of the pot. Then I filled in around the sides with more potting mix, gently firming it down as I went.
The Watering Part (Crucial!)
Here’s the important bit: the watering. After repotting, I didn’t just give them a tiny sip. I watered them thoroughly until I saw water draining out of the bottom of the pot. I mean really soaked them.
Why so much water? Well, the new potting mix is usually pretty dry. And the roots need that moisture to settle in and start growing. Plus, thorough watering helps settle the soil around the roots, eliminating any big air pockets.
I made sure to check the drainage holes to make sure the water was actually coming out. If it wasn’t, I knew I might have a problem with drainage (maybe I packed the soil too tight, or the pot didn’t have enough holes).
I let my plant sit for an hour to let the roots absorb water. After that, I poured away any water accumulated in the Plant Saucer.
And that’s it! It’s been a few days now, and all my repotted plants are looking happy and perky. They seem to be adjusting well to their new homes. I’ll keep an eye on the soil moisture over the next few weeks and water them when the top inch or so feels dry. No more overwatering for me!
