Tips for caring for potted plants

Sedum rubrotinctum

Potted plants need a little different care than those that are in the ground. As they have less substrate, there comes a time when it will be necessary to transplant them into larger pots, since otherwise they could not grow and, in addition, they could be greatly weakened.

To avoid this, we are going to give you a series of tricks to take care of your potted plants. 

Irrigation tricks

How to check soil moisture

Irrigation is essential for plants to grow and live. But how to do it correctly? Checking the humidity of the earth. How? There are several ways:

  • Introducing a thin wooden stick (like the one used in Japanese restaurants): if it comes out clean when it comes out, it is because the substrate is very dry and, therefore, it must be watered.
  • Introducing a soil moisture meter.
  • Picking up the pot as soon as you water it, and again a few days later. This way you will know when it weighs little, or what is the same, when it has to be watered.

In addition, it must be taken into account that, if you have plants indoors, the plate that they have under the pots must be emptied after 30 minutes after having watered.

Watering at the best possible time

By the way, do you know what is the best time to water? At noon? Not. The plants have to be watered either early in the morning or in the evening. This way the water is better used. Avoid wetting the flowers and leaves, as they end up damaging.

Choose the best substrate

Basil

What is the best substrate for plants?

As important as water is land. Potted plants need the soil to have good drainageOtherwise its roots will rot. Not all plants need the same substrate, so let's see which one we should choose according to the type of plant it is:

  • Acidophilic plants (maples, azaleas, camellias, etc.): You must use a specific substrate for them, although if you live in a warm climate, such as the Mediterranean, the best option is to mix 70% akadama with 30% kiryuzuna.
  • Aquatic plants: You can use black peat alone, but it is advisable to put a first layer of river sand or volcanic clay beforehand.
  • Herbaceous flowering plants: They are very resistant, so a universal growing substrate can be used without problem.
  • Woody ornamental plants (trees and shrubs, including vines): It is highly recommended to mix 50% black peat with 40% perlite and 10% organic powder fertilizer (worm castings, for example).
  • Palms: It is advisable to mix 60% coconut fiber with 30% perlite and 20% organic fertilizer in powder.
  • Succulent plants (succulents and cacti) and caudiciforms: To make them grow wonderfully and don't rot, you can mix 70% pumice or coconut fiber with 30% black peat.
  • Horticultural plants: It is recommended to mix 60% black peat with 30% organic compost in powder (worm castings, horse manure, or even compost) with 10% perlite.

Don't forget to pay

The substrate can end up without nutrients, so it is necessary to pay in spring and summer, either with mineral or organic fertilizers. The former are very good, but they do not quite provide everything that plants need. It is true that both Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) are essential for them to live, but they are not the only ones.

Organic fertilizers usually contain, in addition, those microelements that will guarantee the correct development of the plants and, if that were not enough, they will keep them healthy. For this reason, It is always better to pay one month with a mineral fertilizer and the following month with an organic one, rather than using only mineral fertilizers.

Nor to transplant

It has to change the pot plant (and renew the substrate) every time the roots become visible if we look at the drainage holes, in late winter, or in spring in the case of indoor plants. To do this, tap on different sides of the pot, carefully extract the plant, and plant it in a new pot that is at least 4cm wider.

In the event that you see that it has roots that have become entangled outside the pot, it is best to try to untangle them, especially if it is a woody plant or a palm tree. If necessary, take a pair of scissors and carefully cut the pot.

Put coffee filters to avoid losing substrate

That a pot has drainage holes is essential so that the water can escape, but that the substrate also ends up coming out is something that nobody likes. To avoid it, you can put coffee filters, which will let out the water, but not the earth. In this way, you avoid having to buy bags of substrate so often.

The plants, arranged and labeled

Label

Sort your plants by types

If you are like me who like all plants, the ideal is that you order them by type. For example, on a table that is exposed to direct sun, put the cacti and succulents; in another that is in semi-shade, put the acidophilic plants, etc. In this way, it will be much easier take care.

Labels to keep track of your plants

If you want to have a collection of plants, or if you are going to sow seeds, it is highly recommended that you put one label with the name of the plant, and the sowing date if applicable. This way you will be able to take better control over all your plants, and you will not be surprised, as for example it would happen if you germinate one of which you do not know the name or anything.

You can use a permanent marker to make it last longer. Of course, you should know that if it is going to be very exposed to the sun, it will eventually fade. So when you see that you start to have trouble understanding what you put on the label, review it.

Another option is to write on the pot, and then cover it with transparent tape.

Turn anything into a flower pot

Flowers in bucket

Today, human beings pollute a lot. As soon as something is a little broken, it is thrown anywhere and a new one is bought. That is a gross error. The plants will not care if they are in an old or broken pot, in a pot or in a tire. So do not hesitate to use anything, I repeat, anything (yogurt or milk containers, buckets, wheelbarrows, ...) to have an incredible patio. Just make sure it has holes for the water to drain.

We hope that these tips and tricks will help you to take care of your potted plants and, above all, to avoid pests and diseases, which appear when an error occurs in the cultivation.


6 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Patricia said

    Thank you for your advice, they are very useful.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      I'm glad they are useful to you, Patricia 🙂

  2.   Raul Bonfanti said

    Hello Monica. EVERYTHING is very interesting. I ask you to tell me how and how much to water the Traveler's Palm, which is in a planting area, it is 50 cm high. Thanks. Raùl.-

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Raul.
      I'm glad it's of interest to you 🙂.
      La Palma del Viajero I recommend you water it two, maximum three times a week in the hottest season. The rest of the year, once a week.
      Water by soaking the substrate well.
      A greeting.

      1.    Raul Bonfanti said

        Thank you very much MONICA. Your advice is of great interest to me. Atte. Raùl

        1.    Monica Sanchez said

          Thanks to you, Raul. All the best.