Check the plants thoroughly for any problems. This would include
looking for signs of insects or disease. Inspect the top and bottoms of leaves
and along the stems. You’re looking for things like sticky residue on leaves,
holes in leaves, yellowing and discoloration. Remove any leaf litter from the top
of the pot, as insects can hide under the debris. It’s much easier to correct
problems while the plants are outside. This is also a good time to prune away
any damaged leaves.
If you decide treatment is in order, select a product that matches
the problem. Some products target insects only, such as Safer® Insecticidal Soap. Others,
like Fertilome’s Triple Action will treat insects, mites and diseases. If you’re
not sure, bring us a sample. We’ll identify it and help you select the right
product to apply.
Next, take the hose and wash the pot and plant. Do this in the
shade, not in direct sunlight. Dry the pot with a towel and look for signs that
your plant needs to be repotted. One clue would be roots sticking out of the
bottom of the pot. Another way to tell is to gently slip the plant out of its
pot and look at the root ball. If the roots are pushing up against the sides of the pot, it’s probably time to repot. In general, move up one pot size.
The
new pot should be 1” to 2” wider or deeper than the old pot. A 6” pot could be
upsized to a 7.5” pot (as shown). You can choose between clay, ceramic or
plastic pots, but pick one with a drain
hole. No matter how careful you are, water will build up and the plant will
suffer. Skip adding rocks or pottery
shards to the bottom of the pot. It won’t help the drainage.
Select a quality potting soil. This is a healthy blend designed to encourage strong roots and good drainage. Partially fill the new container with this potting soil. Center the plant in
the pot and fill in the sides with more potting soil, as needed. Water
thoroughly. You’re now ready to bring your plants inside.
As always, if you have a question, if you’re not sure how to do
something, stop in and see us. We will be glad to help you.
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