Repotting plants is a worthwhile task to promote the growth and health of your protégés. We repot every year and particularly like to use our planting base so that the loose soil can be collected directly and reused. There are a few important aspects to consider, especially for your plants on the terrace and balcony:
The right moment
Spring is ideal for repotting your plants. Especially for plants that have overwintered on the windowsill or in the basement.
For annual flowers in boxes and containers, it may make sense to switch to a larger container in the middle of summer if the plant shows signs of stunted growth or diminishing blooms.
The choice of the new vessel
Choose a larger container that offers at least two finger-widths of space between the root ball and the wall of the pot. Make sure the new pot has drainage holes so excess water can drain away. A drainage e.g. made from pottery shards or expanded clay protects your plants from waterlogging. Before placing the plant in the new container, loosen the roots slightly. This promotes root growth in the new substrate. Our plant mat as a base is perfect for this. You can collect the excess soil and have no dirt in the joints.
The suitable substrate
Use fresh soil that is tailored to the plant species. For example, there is the universal soil, which is basically suitable for all types of plants. High-quality universal soil contains a high proportion of compost and often also perlite and clay.
Substrates for balcony plants, for example, are often pre-fertilized so that the nutrient supply can last for 6 to 8 weeks. Make sure to use peat-free soil. Although peat is a main component of many commercially available potting soils, its extraction from bogs is harmful to the environment.