How to repot an Ivy

How to transfer an Ivy from one pot to a different pot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newspaper
• Water
• Soil/Enhanced Soil
• Rubber Gloves (Keeps hands clean)
• New Pot
• Desire to transfer the Ivy Plant
• Ivy Plant

1. First make sure the transplant pot is clean of mold and mildew by washing and drying or wiping out at the very least.
   
   Use a paper towel if your wiping out an old pot or you may wind up with dark black stains that may not come out in the wash of your nice dish towel.

2. Once the pot is ready to go you can begin to ready the new pot for the Ivy plant
   
   If the new pot is bigger than the first you will need to use something to shorten the pot in order to both save on potting soil as well as not bury the plant too low in the pot.

3. I used a small bottom upside down with holes punched in the sides to allow for drainage into the catch pan for excessive water.
   
   To make the holes I used a small punch but you could easily use a nail or pointy screwdriver with some extra ooomph.
   
   You can use glass beads under the small catch pan that is inside the pot to slow the flow of any drainage water.

4. 
    
   Small cap installed upside down after the holes are poked in it.

   After placing the small cap inside the pot upside down (that's right upside down) slowly place soil on top avoiding pushing down on the soil to refrain from plugging the holes you punched in the small catch pan.
   
   Fill the dirt about half way up to the top of the pot make a small hole where you can center the root ball of the Ivy plant.
   
   Push dirt up against the root ball and begin to cover the roots entirely with at least 1" of dirt.

5. 
    

   Once you have gotten the dirt set and the Ivy looks upright and centered in the pot add water slowly.
   
   Avoid going fast with the water to prevent making big pockets in the soil.
   
   Water till you see water in the catch pan under the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Using rubber gloves keep your hands clean and free of any other contaminants that may harm the Ivy
• Using a watering device rather than a cup avoids making depressions in the soil leaving the soil even
• Using potting soil with amendments aids in the plant adjusting to the new pot
• Don't bury the plant too far down in the pot
• Don't put too much soil on the plant above the root ball to avoid killing the plant
• Don't use stale water in your watering can to avoid bacteria issues

[bar10dr98]

on 12/17/2008 Great advice on repotting an ivy!