already potted plants

Terraverde 3/31/2014, 10:16 am

How do I transplant plants that already have their own dirt around the roots? I just bought some daisies planted in whatever kind of soil they use at Lowe's and would like to put them in Mel's Mix, but do I need to get rid of the soil they're already planted in? If so, how do I do this without hurting the roots? The plant is really healthy looking right now in the little pot it came in, but will need to be transplanted soon because it's getting too big for its pot.
Thanks

mapspringer 3/31/2014, 3:31 pm

Hi and Welcome!
Take it out of the pot, gently disturb the roots, plant in MM and watch it grow! The nursery that supplies Lowes has it potted in a professional grow medium, but the plant's roots will get the majority of its nutrients from your MM.
Happy planting!

Mapspringer

H_TX_2 3/31/2014, 3:50 pm

You can't really remove the growing medium already surrounding the roots. I take them out of the pot and use some scissors to cut the bottom portion off where there are a lot of tiny roots; I only cut off about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch from the bottom. The roots will grow out into your MM and get the nutrients they need. Sometimes when the season is over and I pull up the plants the original growing medium that the plant came in will still be attached to the base of the plant.

It is good to try and get your MM as close as possible but it is not an exact science. There is a wide range of acceptable quality for MM so some other growing medium getting into your SFG will not throw off the entire box.

**camprn** 3/31/2014, 5:05 pm

As mapspringer pointed out , more than likely the plant is in soilless growing medium. I would take it out of the pot, loosen the roots a wee bit and plunk it right in the Mel's mix, which is also a soilless growing medium. All will be well.

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