Lots and Lots of Pots!

Just like when you wear a shirt that is too big, plants can be put in pots that are too big for them. Plant pots come in all different shapes and all different sizes. Choosing the correct size pot for a plant is important because it can have an effect on the growth and development of the plant!

Too Small

  • A plant receives all of its nutrients from the soil. With less soil in a smaller pot, there are fewer nutrients available for the plant’s root system. A pot that is too small also will constrict the plant’s roots, not allowing them to spread out. If this happens, the plant’s growth may slow down. One way to know if your plant needs a bigger pot is to look for roots poking out of the drainage holes in the bottom. A pot that is too small also will not be able to hold enough water to support the plant, and the plant can end up showing signs of drought sooner.

Too Large

  • A pot that is too large for a plant can hold too much water in the soil, which can lead to mold growth, rot and root diseases. Too large of a plant pot also can make it difficult to keep the soil firmly packed around the plant’s roots.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8452824_different-pots-affect-plant-growth.html

Too Small

  • A plant receives all of its nutrients from the soil. With less soil in a smaller pot, there are fewer nutrients available for the plant’s root system. A pot that is too small also will constrict the plant’s roots, not allowing them to spread out. If this happens, the plant’s growth may slow down. One way to know if your plant needs a bigger pot is to look for roots poking out of the drainage holes in the bottom. A pot that is too small also will not be able to hold enough water to support the plant, and the plant can end up showing signs of drought sooner.

Too Large

  • A pot that is too large for a plant can hold too much water in the soil, which can lead to mold growth, rot and root diseases. Too large of a plant pot also can make it difficult to keep the soil firmly packed around the plant’s roots.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8452824_different-pots-affect-plant-growth.h

  • A plant receives all of its nutrients from the soil. With less soil in a smaller pot, there are fewer nutrients available for the plant’s root system. A pot that is too small also will constrict the plant’s roots, not allowing them to spread out. If this happens, the plant’s growth may slow down. One way to know if your plant needs a bigger pot is to look for roots poking out of the drainage holes in the bottom. A pot that is too small also will not be able to hold enough water to support the plant, and the plant can end up showing signs of drought sooner.

Too Large

  • A pot that is too large for a plant can hold too much water in the soil, which can lead to mold growth, rot and root diseases. Too large of a plant pot also can make it difficult to keep the soil firmly packed around the plant’s roots.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8452824_different-pots-affect-plant-growth.html

  • A plant receives all of its nutrients from the soil. With less soil in a smaller pot, there are fewer nutrients available for the plant’s root system. A pot that is too small also will constrict the plant’s roots, not allowing them to spread out. If this happens, the plant’s growth may slow down. One way to know if your plant needs a bigger pot is to look for roots poking out of the drainage holes in the bottom. A pot that is too small also will not be able to hold enough water to support the plant, and the plant can end up showing signs of drought sooner.

Too Large

  • A pot that is too large for a plant can hold too much water in the soil, which can lead to mold growth, rot and root diseases. Too large of a plant pot also can make it difficult to keep the soil firmly packed around the plant’s roots.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8452824_different-pots-affect-plant-growth.html

Too Small:

Plants become root bound, root bound means the roots are having  trouble spreading out so the begin to take over the pot completely. Plants becoming root bound can decrease plant growth because there are more roots then soil, and soil holds all the nutrients and moisture for the plants. If the pot is too small then the plant will never get the amount of water it needs to survive.

Too Big:

A pot that is to big for a plant may hold extra water which could lead to mold and root rot.  If you plant a small plant in a really large pot, it will also stunt its growth. The plant wants to stretch its roots out as far as it can but the goal is to have a good root base. In a big pot this is more difficult and the plant will not root itself in the soil well enough to survive.

So how do you prevent these problems?

Re-potting is the answer!

Whether you buy your plants or grow them on your own, re-potting is always the way to go! Start out with a small pot and let your plant grow into it, if you start to see roots coming from water drainage holes then it is time to re-pot that plant! Be sure that you only go up one size and allow the plant to grow into that pot as well!

Step 1:

Squeeze the container to loosen the dirt.

Step 2:

Holding stem of plant, tip plant over and continue to squeeze!

Step 3:

Plant should slide out of plastic container. Light loosen roots and place in new pots with soil!

Activity:

Check to see if any of your pots at home are root bound and practice re-potting. If you don’t have potted plants that is okay to. Make sure you learn the steps so that your can practice when you do!

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