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New plant person here. So I learned from my mistakes and repotted… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Curly Jo

New plant person here. So I learned from my mistakes and repotted everything in regular soil plus about 20% mix of orchid bark and cactus mix due to my plants staying wet for far too long. But it’s still happening. Do I need to reduce the amount of water I give them or something? I’ve been watering until it comes out the drain holes then letting it finish draining before putting back on the saucer. I really don’t want to have to repot them all again, nor do I want soil mold to return.

3 likes 19 comments

19 comments

  1. Mhayghan

    Hi!!! Depending on the plant, it may like a REALLY chunky mix. I typically have my houseplants in a 50% potting soil and 25% orchid bark / 25% perlite. Although it may have to do with the frequency in which you’re watering too.

    3 likes
    • Curly Jo

      Is it normal for a plant to still be wet 10-15 days after watering?

      2 likes
    • N Klepczarek

      Some of my plants like snake plants don’t need to be watered more than once per month. I only water my plants if the soil feels dry to the touch two inches deep, even if it takes a month or so

      1 like
    • Curly Jo

      I’ve been checking the top 2 inches but I assumed 2 weeks without watering was too long. I’m glad it’s not, at least for some plants it sounds like.

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  2. N Klepczarek

    Are they getting enough sun and still growing often? If they are, they would use up water quicker than plans kept in part shade or shady areas. If they’re not growing much, maybe they don’t need to be watered as often. Test with a soil meter or the chopstick method. For most plants, I use purely cactus soil because it drains really well

    1 like
  3. Mhayghan

    Typically not. It should be damp towards the bottom of the pot but even then, the top should be mostly dry by then. I’d definitely recommend a chunkier mix. ‘Rosy Soil’ is what I used to buy before I started making my own, and it works great!

    1 like
  4. Curly Jo

    They are all growing gradually and are under a grow light 12 hours per day

    1 like
  5. Curly Jo

    Was hoping I wouldn’t have to repot after just doing that 2 weeks ago lol. Sounds like I have to…

    2 likes
  6. N Klepczarek

    As long as they don’t look sick, you can just water them less frequently

    2 likes
    • Curly Jo

      Ok I’ll keep snoozing planta’s advice and see how it goes!

      2 likes
    • N Klepczarek

      Yeah that’s what I did when I first started on the app. The app learns when you snooze it so it will stop reminding you so frequently

      0 likes
  7. Curly Jo

    What do you guys do to prevent mold? I started keeping the ceiling fan going to help with ventilation.

    0 likes
    • Curly Jo

      Since they are staying wet for so long, I assume that’s the cause…

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    • Planta member

      I keep a fan going around my plants as much as possible because airflow is super helpful for helping plants grow strong and preventing disease. I’ve actually seen a noticeable difference! Also, what type of pots are you using? My plants take way longer to dry out in plastic v terracotta. I’ve also found Planta tells me to water too much sometimes like others have said!

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    • Curly Jo

      Maybe I need a fan to blow directly instead of just the ceiling fan. All of my pots are ceramic. This plant hobby thing is stressful! So many variables!

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  8. Waspinator

    When making your soil, add perlite and really mix it in. Then add bark or gravel to the very bottom of the pot (don't do this layer for self-watering styles.) Also make sure your pots aren't too big for the plant; having too much soil means the roots can't use the water evenly.

    1 like
    • Curly Jo

      Ok adding bark to the bottom makes the repotting much easier. All my pots are only 6” and were a chunk of change to buy all at once so I’m hoping to not have to replace.

      1 like
  9. Phil

    I looked at your Planta. The plants look great and you have some beautiful planters. And it appears you have sized the planters well. Soil should not be wet after a week. I’m watering most of my tropicals every 3 to 7 days. And they are dry at that point. My best guess is your grow light is not bright enough. And definitely not strong enough for the succulents. They should be separated out. Lights strong enough for the succulents will burn the tropicals. Your soil recipe should be fine for the tropicals but not the succulents. In the pics, my tropical stand has a 37 watt led on each shelf. Still not enough for some. The succulent lights are much brighter. And the last is pic of my succulent soil. I will add higher percentage of regular potting for Gasteria, haworthia, and peperomia.

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    2 likes
    • Curly Jo

      Thank you! Will be looking for a stronger light. Also the succulents which are in cactus soil only, have been moved to a sunny window.

      2 likes