 Potting Mixtures, Containers and Repotting You'll need loam, a mixture of organic and mineral materials (50% space and 50% matter), to ensure optimum plant growth and necessary nutrition. The best soil for most house plants depends on the individual plant's needs, of course. a. A basic house plant soil mix is 2 parts loam, 1 part composted organic matter and 1 part coarse, clean sand. b. For plants requiring a humus soil use 1 part loam, 2 parts compost and 1 part coarse, clean sand plus 1 tablespoon of (d.) per 6 inch pot. c. For cacti and succulents use 1 part loam, 2 parts coarse, clean sand and 1 part small pebbles or coarse gravel. Add 1 tablespoon of (d.) per 6 inch pot. d. Add 1 tablespoon powdered phosphate rock and granite dust (greensand or potash) each to each mixture for each pot. This replaces the need to use chemicals or manure tea in potted plants. Charcoal added to either mix keeps the soil sweet and improves drainage. Scoop up a handful of the soil mix and squeeze. If it holds together until touching causes it to crumble easily, you know you have the right amount of moisture in the soil. When reusing soil, you must first pasteurize it in a tray in a heated oven at 180º F for 30 minutes. Allow to cool before use. If pasteurized soil becomes too dry when heated, place in a plastic bag, add enough water to moisten the soil. Do not soak. Then try the hand test again. Plastic pots are lighter in weight than clay pots. However, the clay pots allow the soil and roots to breathe. Water evaporates easier in a clay pot. If you use plastic containers for your plants, you will need to water and feed less. Make certain all your pots have drainage holes in the bottoms. Because these pots will be used in your home, always use plastic or glass saucers and pads to prevent moisture damage to your furniture. The size and root of the plant determines the size of the pot. Use a pot's top diameter that equals one-half the height of the plant. When repotting, pot size should be one size larger than previous container. Clean used pots before reusing. Place these pots in boiling water to cover. Add bleach and soak for at least 2 hours. Scrub out all dirt and any fungus. Rinse and let dry. Plastic or glazed pots can be washed with soap and water. Rinse well. Cover the drainage holes with pebbles or broken pieces of old pots for proper drainage. Repot older plants when rootbound. Otherwise, early spring is the best time to repot when plants are still resting and before new growth appears. Place a few inches of soil mix over the pebbles. Gently remove plant from old container by its stem. Hold the stem in your fingers while turning the pot over with your other hand and tap the sides of the pot until the plant is released. Gently untangle the roots. Place in pot so that the plant will rest in the new pot at the same position and the soil comes up to at least one-half inch from the top of the pot. If the plant has a ball of old dirt inside the root system, replace with clean soil mix. Otherwise, watering will drain too fast and the plant's roots will dry too quickly. If drainage material is caught in the roots, better to leave as is. Removing material can damage plant. Cover the roots with soil. Tamp slightly to remove air pockets as you continue to add soil. When finished potting, water sparingly. Keep newly potted plant out of direct sunlight until new growth appears. Then resume plant's required regimen of care. |
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