How and when to repot

Masterclass on: Repotting essentials

- ANNE SWITHINBANK

Q I would like to repot some of my plants both indoors and out, so could you advise about compost, pot size and how to carry this out?

Shona Mcintyre, New Abbey, Dumfries

A There comes a time in the life of container-grown plants when they begin to suffer from being confined to the same pot and compost for a long period. Even with considerate watering and feeding, plants that in the open ground would reach a large size will fill their pots to the extent that no new feeding roots can grow to take up what they need. In some cases, water simply runs off a solid wall of fleshy roots and disappears from the base of the pot. In others the potting compost begins to deteriorate, often turning sour with residual plant feeds or breaking down into small particles that hold too much water around the roots.