Do I Water Plants after Repotting?

Repotting is an essential task in gardening, and it is recommended to be done every few years, depending on the plant's growth rate. When you repot a plant, it is natural to wonder when to water it. Should you water it immediately, or should you wait for a few days? In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about watering plants after repotting.

Immediate watering

The straightforward answer to the question is yes, you should water your plants immediately after repotting. When you repot a plant, you disturb its roots, and as you know, roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Therefore, when you repot a plant, you need to ensure that the roots get enough water to recover from the shock of repotting. Watering the plant will help settle the soil and remove any air pockets and air bubbles that might be present in the soil. Air pockets and air bubbles can cause the soil to dry out too fast or cause the plant to topple over due to the unstable soil.

How much to water?

Although immediate watering is crucial, it is equally essential to know how much water the plant needs. When repotting a plant, you usually use fresh soil or potting mix. Fresh soil can absorb water differently from the old soil that the plant was growing in. Therefore, you need to be careful not to overwater or underwater the plant. The best way to determine how much water to use is to follow the plant's watering instructions. You can also perform a finger test, in which you stick your finger about an inch deep into the soil, and if the soil feels dry, it's time to water the plant.

Water frequency after repotting

The frequency of watering the plant after repotting depends on various factors such as the plant's size, the soil, and the environment. If you repotted a small-sized plant, you might need to water it more frequently than a larger plant. The soil also plays a vital role in how often you need to water the plant. Some soils can retain moisture longer than others, and some soils need more frequent watering. Finally, the environment in which the plant is growing will also dictate how much water it needs. If the environment is dry and hot, you might need to water the plant more often than if it's humid.

Conclusion

In conclusion, watering plants after repotting is crucial for ensuring the plant's growth and health. Immediate watering is essential to help the plant recover from the shock of repotting, but you also need to ensure that you don't overwater or underwater the plant. The frequency of watering the plant after repotting depends on several factors, but always water the plant when the soil feels dry. Following these guidelines will help ensure that your plants thrive after repotting.