Re-potting Clearance Plants

Now is the time of year you will begin to see many plants in your local big box stores...some of those plants however, look a little run down.  Some of them are on the verge of death from lack of care.  I guess ringing up all that milk and bread (or standing in the aisle talking on their cell phones) keeps employees from tending to them like they should.  The best thing about these sorts of plants is that most of these type stores tend to dramatically reduce the costs - giving you an excellent opportunity to test your gardening skills!

There's a few things you will always do when you buy plants from a store - no matter if they are healthy or not.  First things first, re-plant.  

Most of these plants have been growing in this same soil since it was a seed or seedling and in most cases, the plants is starving for water (or, drowning!) so re-planting in a fortified soil is key for healthy plant growth.
I use Miracle Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix.  I've found that it seems to really protect the plant against over and under watering.  Whatever you choose, make sure to get a soil that is specially formulated for whatever plant you are re-planting (house plants, or in-ground plants).

On my last trip to Lowe's, I found these great plants on clearance for just $4.99.  That was a 70% discount! They were located on a rolling cart at the very bottom, hidden from view by other not-so-hardy looking plants.  I pulled them out and noticed they had new shoots all over them - what a shame to have them wasting away - so I popped them into my cart and rolled straight to the check-out.  

They don't look so bad, huh?

You can't see it well, but the yellow sticker says, $4.99.  <happy dance>

These particular plants were pretty healthy considering how root-bound they were.  As you can see from the picture above, the roots were wrapped pretty tightly around itself.  When a plant is like this, all you have to do is break apart the root ball and get the dirt off.  

You can also see the water spots that are on the leaves.  This is an easy fix.  If the spots are from hard water, just mix 2 or 3 drops of dish soap with 20 ounces of water.  Lightly mist the plant's leaves and wipe the leaves with a clean, dry cloth.  Or, for just a few leaves, use a cotton swab dipped in half water, half vinegar solution to spot clean leaves.  Wipe those leaves with a dry cloth when done.  

Store the water that you will use to water your plant for 24 hours in an open container on the counter.  This will help to dissipate any chemicals in the water to evaporate before being used to water plants and prevent hard water spots from re-forming on your leaves.

Freedom!  The roots are no longer bound and flow freely.

I did knock off a little more of the dirt when I re-potted it.  Actually, I shook it and the dirt went flying...all over my hair and in my mouth, I might add.  Never shake a plant on a windy day.  Lesson learned.  

Ta-da!