I started with the two hanging baskets of spider plants, which have to be done every spring. They were so rootbound that even the baby plants were starting to produce their own plantlets. I carried both baskets out to the grass behind the garage (so I didn't have to clean up the dirty mess) and dumped the first pot into an old recycling bin. As I suspected, the bottom of the soil was covered with a tangle of tuberous roots.
Spider plants are almost impossible to kill, so after removing the tiny bit of extra soil with my hands I used a steak knife I cut the bottom roots off, then cut between each plant and pulled them apart. When I was done my two stuffed pots had turned into three pots, and there were still two plants left over.
I didn't have any more pots of the proper size, so I decided to stick the extras directly in the ground next to the compost pile. They'll either grow or not, and either way won't survive the winder
My dad is always trying to pass of some "roots" to me, telling me the same thing that I can handle it. They sit out on his screen porch in the summer and he brings them in in the winter.
ReplyDeleteI stopped by to tell you that I talked with one of the parents today at Christopher's basketball camp. I started off with, "Which one is yours?" ;-) Her name is "C"athy. So I know I won't forget that because I was thinking of you when I talked to her. It wasn't until the end that I said, "Nice talking to you" and we exchanged names.
VERY COOL! I knew you could do it...and I'm here to tell you it gets easier each time.
DeleteI don't have any houseplants in my house anymore, got tired of taking care of them! And I just have perennials outside, no more annuals.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a nice minimal way to go.
DeleteI have a peace lily that desperately needs repotting. I don't know why I haven't done it, but it's looking sad because it's outgrown it's original pot.
ReplyDeleteI've never had good luck with peace lilies. Good luck on your task
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