The Lions Garden ThePlantHospital.com

Proper Potting

Always use thoroughly cleaned potting containers with proper drainage holes. Before reusing any pots, they should be scrubbed clean and thoroughly rinsed in a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water to kill disease organisms that are present. Cover the drainage holes in the pot with pieces of broken clay pots or coarse gravel. Next add enough potting soil to bring the soil level of the finished planting to about one-half inch below the rim of the pot. This top space serves as a reservoir for watering.

When repotting, cover the old soil level with about one-half inch of new soil. Firm the new soil around the root ball and water well to eliminate air pockets. Keep transplants away from drafts and provide extra humidity to reduce transplanting shock. You can provide extra humidity by covering plants with plastic for a day or two. Water when the soil feels dry but avoid fertilizing the plants for a few weeks until new shoot growth is evident. Excess fertilizer can damage the newly developing root hairs and delay plant growth.