If you want to repot the houseplants, February and March are the best months for this. Every plant has its own preferences when it comes to the growing medium. However, they all have one thing in common: the substrate should be free of fungi, mosquitoes and flies. We give useful tips on how to...Prevent pest infestationcan.
Repotting houseplants: What should you pay attention to when buying potting soil?
At the beginning of February at the latest it will be timeRepotting houseplants. But then the question arises for many hobby gardeners: “Which soil is good for houseplants?” There are a few things to consider when purchasing.
- Do something good for the environment and choose peat-free or peat-reduced substrates. Instead of peat, these products contain hemp or wood fibers, green waste compost, corn straw or clay granules, which can store the water and then release it evenly.
- Certain houseplants like orchids and succulents require special soil. For example, most orchids grow best in pine bark and will die in regular potting soil. Cacti need a substrate with a high sand content.
- For the other houseplants you don't necessarily need to buy special soil; you can also mix it yourself. For citrus plants, you can mix the substrate with expanded clay and then provide the plants with special lime-based fertilizer. Small decorative rose varieties can cope with potted plant soil if you mix it with nutrient-rich green waste compost in a ratio of 5:2.
You have already chosen the right substrate. Now you should make sure that the new soil is free of mosquitoes, fungi and mites.
Soil for houseplants without mosquitoes
Fungus gnats are dangerous for houseplants. They can damage their roots and make the plants vulnerable to other pests. Fighting the annoying mosquitoes can prove to be a difficult task. It is much better to buy high-quality soil for houseplants without mosquitoes. When purchasing, make sure that the packaging is undamaged. If you notice at home that there are deposits on the soil or the substrate smells unpleasant, then you should sterilize the potting soil.
Can you disinfect soil? Sterilize in the oven
Line a baking tray with baking paper and sprinkle the slightly moistened new potting soil on it. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for half an hour, stirring occasionally.
Which soil for fungus gnats?
If your houseplants are already fromInfected by fungus gnatsand you want to get rid of them by repotting, among other things, then you should definitely spread a thin layer of quartz sand on the surface.
After repotting, water the plants really well. If water is still pooling in the saucer after thirty minutes, you should remove it.
Repotting houseplants: Preventing flies in the potting soil
Other small flies can also be introduced with the new potting soil. You can visually check the soil at home. If you see small white larvae, be sure to sterilize the potting soil. Place the soil in a microwave-safe bowl and fill with enough water to cover the soil. Set the microwave to high and let it run for 12 minutes.
Especially if you want to repot weakened plants, you should definitely disinfect the soil beforehand.
Mites in potting soil: what can we do about it?
If the plants are attacked by mites, they can die quickly. If there is an infestation with spider and root mites, it is therefore recommended to repot the plant. To be on the safe side, sterilize the new soil. Discard the old substrate and rinse the plant and its roots. To prevent re-infestation, cover the container and houseplant with a plastic bag.
If your houseplants are stored in the winter garden or garden shed, you should place newly repotted plants at least one meter away from the other plants. Check the soil daily for signs of infestation.
Also read:Home remedies for flies in the potting soil! These are really effective!
Repotting houseplants: Preventing fungi in the potting soil
Why does potting soil get moldy? Fungi are usually to blame for the mold on the surface. To prevent their spread, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Dense potting soil provides the perfectPrerequisites for fungal infestation. Mix the substrate with sand or expanded clay to increase permeability and avoid waterlogging. You can also mix the container plant soil with compost as long as it has matured. It is best to dispose of opened packages of potting soil from the previous year and not use them. The long storage time can have a negative impact on their structural stability.
If you have substrate left over after repotting, you should store it airtight. A cool and dry place in the winter garden or garden house is best.
You should dispose of the old potting soil from the flower pot.
