Why do indoor plants feel cramped in a pot and how do you know when it’s time to replant them?

Replanting indoor plants is an inevitable procedure that gardeners have to carry out from time to time. Even those flowers that do not grow to a large size need to be replanted for certain reasons. In order not to harm the plants, it is necessary to follow the timing and rules of replanting. Be sure to take into account the size, age, and condition of the flower.

Reasons for replanting indoor plants

On a windowsill, plants have to exist in a limited amount of soil. It is not surprising that after some time the flower becomes cramped, because its root system is constantly developing. In this case, you can find out about the need for replanting by the appearance of roots from the holes for water drainage.

In addition, there are other reasons why you should repot a houseplant:

the earth has become sour and acquired an unpleasant odor;
the ceramic pot is broken and needs to be replaced;
due to improper care, the roots have rotted;
After purchasing the flower, the transport soil has not yet been replaced with a nutrient substrate.

Most often, transplantation is carried out by transferring an earthen clod. This is the most gentle way to protect the root system from damage. If the soil has become acidic or the roots are rotting, a complete replacement of the soil will be required while simultaneously inspecting and removing the damaged areas.

How often and when should I replant?

It is best to transplant flowers before they come out of dormancy. During this period, the procedure will cause less stress to the plant than when it is in the active growing season. Flowering specimens, if necessary, are replanted after flowering has ended.

In general, experts give the following recommendations:

young and fast-growing specimens are replanted annually;
adult flowers - once every 3 years;
large-sized ones growing in large flowerpots or tubs - every 4–5 years.

For large specimens growing in large containers, partial replacement of the soil is allowed: only the top layer of soil 5–7 cm thick is replaced.

Traditionally, most plants are replanted in the spring. If necessary, pruning and cuttings for vegetative propagation are simultaneously carried out. Weak and crookedly growing shoots are pruned. Excessively elongated stems are shortened, thanks to which branching increases, the crown becomes thicker, and the quality of flowering improves.

Autumn replanting is carried out as necessary. This is done if the roots of the flower have grown greatly over the summer or, conversely, have rotted. At the same time, you can replant the flower if the soil is excessively compacted or depleted.

Before you start transplanting, it is recommended to look at the Lunar calendar. The fact is that the phases of the moon affect the life of plants. The flower should be replanted on favorable days. Each plant is characterized by a constant movement of juices that circulate from the vegetative mass to the root system and back. Transplantation is permissible during periods of the waxing Moon, when the liquid is in the upper part of the flower. At this time, the roots are not so sensitive to possible damage.

Rules for replanting house plants

Before starting replanting work, you need to purchase soil, materials for drainage, and suitable flower pots. The new container should be 2–3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

Adult specimens of compact species (miniature violets and kalanchoes, dwarf roses) can be replanted in the same pot, simply replacing the depleted soil with fresh soil. If the roots of a flower have rotted and some of them have been cut off, the container should be smaller in size than the previous one.

As drainage you can use:

coarse sand;
clay shards;
charcoal;
expanded clay;
pebbles.

Flowers are watered 6–8 hours before transplanting to facilitate their “evacuation” from the pot. It is more convenient to carry out all work at a table covered with oilcloth or newspapers; this will make subsequent cleaning easier.

When a flower is replanted using the transshipment method, the earthen ball near the roots is preserved. The method is applied to young plants and those that are sensitive to damage to the root system. The flower is taken out of the pot, holding it by the lower part of the stem, and placed in a new container, adding a layer of new soil on top of the drainage and on the sides. While filling the pot with soil, you need to tap on its walls so that the soil lies more densely.

Replanting a plant with a complete replacement of the soil:

Hold the flower in the pot with your hand and at the same time turn the pot over.
Shake the container with the other hand, causing the root system to emerge from the container.
The roots are freed from the soil and inspected.
The affected areas found are cut back to healthy tissue.
The sections are powdered with charcoal powder.
If a significant part of the root system is damaged, the above-ground part is also shortened to reduce the load on the roots.
The pot is washed and rinsed with boiling water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
Place prepared drainage on the bottom in a layer of about 3 cm.
Fresh soil is poured onto the drainage layer in a mound, then a flower is placed in the center of the pot, spreading its roots.
Fill the remaining volume with soil, not reaching 1.5–2 cm from the edge of the pot.

After transplantation, the plant is watered. The exception is cacti and other succulents, as well as plants whose rotten roots have been cut off - they are watered after a few days.

Any replanting is stressful for the plant, so for the first time it is better to put the pot in a shaded place. The flower is returned to the windowsill after 4–5 days.

A transplant carried out according to all the rules will only benefit the indoor plant, giving it an impetus for active growth. It is important to consider that the composition of the soil must be suitable for a particular flower. A purchased imported plant is replanted immediately after purchase with a complete replacement of the transport soil.