Had a couple pothos in water and they were doing great. One of them was shorter but had bigger leaves and a massive root system that was tangled into a big ball. The other one was mainly from cuttings propagated in water.
4 days ago I decided to take all the plants and replant them into soil adding a stick in the middle of the pot for support. I also fixed the plant to the stick using gardening wire. It was doing ok until yesterday when it started to get yellow and it’s leaves begun to get “sleepy”
Found this sub a couple days ago and read that I was supposed to use a water-soil mixture for the transition from ‘only water’ to soil (which I obviously didn’t do).
Is my plant dying? Is there anything I should be doing to help it get better?
Right after the repotting I showered the whole thing with water and added a bit more to the soil 2 days later directly with a glass, I have it in a place with good indirect sunlight and I live in a decent humidity zone. I was thinking on watering it every three days. Should I be doing it more frequently?
I was thinking about using fertilizers but they’re hard to find in my city, the only thing I found is this one that comes in pellets, but someone told me it could burn the plant if I just add it to the soil.
by Commercial-Newt-3229
2 Comments
A lot of things happened here. First off, your plant(s) are in shock. If they were in the water for that long, they are hydroponic. You’re right, a slow transition would have been wise. I like to use a chunky Stratum mixture. But let’s move forward.
I wouldn’t have chosen such a big pot. You want 1-2” bigger than the rootball, and I know you said massive root systems, but I still wouldn’t have chosen this massive pot. You’re setting yourself up for root rot. Choose a terracotta pot if you repot.
Speaking of root rot, watering more frequently like you are suggesting is going to kill your plant(s). It would be better if you soaked the pot in a bucket of water. I’d also highly recommend repotting in a smaller pot, with a nice chunky, nutrient rich soil. You have to amend your soil with all tropical house plants. If you don’t, you risk root rot.
Let me know if you want a recipe. I think you have some time, but I’d prioritize if you can.
Great advice already.
Pothos like to be neglected. A pot that gives about and inch or two around the rootball is perfect. Gives the roots room to spread out on their own. As pothos like to be tight together. I would absolutely recommend switching to a much smaller pot
You might lose some leaves due to the shock. Trim those off when they start to die.
Humidity is great, but let your soil dry out completely before watering. When the soil is dry and the plant starts to droop a little. Best is to bottom water so it can soak up exactly what it needs.