Episode: 4
Title: Up-sizing Your Pot
Broadcast: March 23, 2019
Presenter: Nigel Ruck

Do you have a plant that’s completely outgrown its pot and desperate for more space? If it’s starting to look a little unhappy in its current home, it might be time to consider giving it an upgrade, and autumn is the perfect time to do it.

• Growing plants in pots means you’re dealing with a controlled environment and requires more help with staying correctly maintained. The soil can dry out quickly and over-watering can leach out nutrients.
• Yellow leaves are a clear sign of stress, often from either under or over watering.
• If a plant is starting to get too big for its pot, it can become root-bound. A good way to tell is you’ll notice root growth starting to shoot out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. A dense web of roots compacted into a hard ball take up the entire pot space.
• Because the roots take up all the room, there’s no space for soil, which will lead to a lack of nutrition and put stress on the plant.
• Cut away the root growth that is spilling out the bottom of the put, then pull the plant from the pot. If there’s a lot of excess roots around the base, cut them away then loosen up the remaining roots.
• Use a good quality potting mix and a pot that is going to allow for plenty of growing space. A suitable mulch will help keep in and retain moisture.
• The ideal time for potting is spring and autumn, or winter for deciduous trees.