Okay, so my big Norfolk Pine started lookin’ kinda sad last week. Leaves droopin’, and I spotted roots poking out the drainage hole like tiny escape artists. Figured it was time to give it more space. Grabbed my stuff: a new pot just 2 inches wider than the old one, some chunky indoor plant soil mix, pruning shears, and a tarp to catch the mess.
Step by Step Messy Business
First, I yanked that sucker outta its old pot. Tipped it sideways, wiggled the trunk gentle-like, and it slid out after a few tugs. Roots were packed tight – a white tangled mess circling the bottom. Felt like pullin’ a wad of hair from a drain.
Next, I broke up that root ball real good with my fingers. No fancy tools, just dug in hard. Tore apart the outer roots that were goin’ round and round – gotta break that circle habit or they’ll choke themselves later. Snapped off any dead or mushy bits with the shears. Didn’t go crazy, just untangled the worst parts.
Then for the new pot: chucked a handful of rocks over the hole so dirt wouldn’t wash out. Poured soil in until the plant sat in there just right – keeping that same depth as before. Held the trunk straight up with one hand while I shoveled fresh dirt around it with the other. Patted it down firm so no air pockets would dry out the roots.
Watering and Hoping
Drowned it good with water till it leaked out the bottom. Like, really soaked it – helps the soil settle around the roots. Stuck it back in its usual bright spot but away from direct sun for now. Gotta baby it a week or two while it recovers.
End result? Looks a bit pissed off right now – leaves still droopy. But it’s got room to breathe now. Honestly? Felt like wrestlin’ a dusty green octopus. Worth the backache though.
