When do you repot?

[Maru777]

Hello everyone,

I have a question on repotting in SH. I started growing using this method maybe 1-1&1/2 years ago and now I repotted one of the plants I had in SH. I almost had to break the pot because the roots had gone completely crazy in that pot. I am eyeing the other pots and they don’t look much different either, with roots everywhere. Now, seeing lots of happy roots makes me happy but it also made me wonder, how do I know when to repot? Since inorganic media does not decay, technically it could last forever but with these roots growing so fast they have every chance of suffocating themselves by taking up all of the empty airpockets. Most of my pots are transparent so I can see roots all over the sides but some are not so I don’t even know what goes on inside. What do you usually do? What would be a good rule of thumb? How many roots is it “safe” to see on the side of a pot before you need to repot?

[Ray]

Despite the fact that the medium doesn’t decompose, it does accumulate minerals and wastes, so should be replaced periodically.

I, arguably, have had the longest experience with the technique - which does not necessarily mean that I have all of the correct answers - but if I see roots wrapping around the pot, I move it to a bigger one, and if I don’t see that, I repot with fresh LECA every 2-3 years, depending upon how much drying the medium has done (no drying = slower accumulation = greater longevity).

[Maru777]

Originally Posted by Ray

if I see roots wrapping around the pot, I move it to a bigger one, and if I don’t see that, I repot with fresh LECA every 2-3 years, depending upon how much drying the medium has done (no drying = slower accumulation = greater longevity).

Thank you for the advice! Off to buy some pots then