Potting A Plant

If you love plants then chances are you have had the need to put some plants in pots. Now there is actually a right way and a wrong way to pot plants. It is not that difficult once you know how. This hub has some tips for potting a plant.

Start by getting your plants ready. Line them up in an open area like a workbench or the driveway so they are ready when you are.

Line up your pots. These may be about five to twelve inches high and perhaps four to six inches wide; sizes will vary, depending on your taste and placement considerations. They should have small holes in the bottom for adequate drainage to prevent root rot. If you have used them before, discard old soil and any insects or pests that may have taken up residence there. Open a bag of potting soil. You may have mixed homemade compost with it or simply purchased a commercial brand of fertilizer-rich soil. Make sure the soil is dark, moist, and rich to the touch, not clumped or knotted, so that the tender plant roots can stretch and thrive in its midst rather than become choked or withered. Visually check for stones or other debris as you transfer it to the pots.

Fill the pots about one-third full of soil. Gently set each young plant in its own pot, nestling the roots into the soil but not pressing down too deeply, which might damage the roots or force them too close to the bottom of the pot. Use your trowel or gloved hands to scoop up more soil and pack it loosely around the seedling. Fill the pot to within an inch of the top rim. Make sure that a suitable amount of the plant remains above the soil line; you don't want to bury it entirely. Pack the soil firmly around the plant, taking care to protect and not hurt the plant's stem or leaves.

Water the soil. Don't use so much water that it floats on the surface of the pot. Add a fertilizer pellet if needed. Follow the plant's potting directions, obtained from a nursery or an online Website, to ensure each seedling gets a healthy start.

Place the pots in sun or shade, whichever is indicated for the type of greenery you are potting. Keep an eye on them the first week or so to ensure they are growing as they should. Adjust water, sun, and fertilizer as needed based on the plants' appearance.

When they outgrow the pot, be prepared to repeat the process to a larger container or to transplant them into the ground according to your landscape plan.