How Do You Repot a Euphorbia?
Have you got any tips for potting a (large) E.Trigona? I just can’t get my head round how to do it.
How can you tell that a plant is underpotted? What should I look for?
Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
We generally like to see as much plant mass above the soil line as potential root mass below.
Repotting euphorbias is difficult. They have a caustic white sap (latex) that is very dangerous, and with all those branches banging against each other when you repot, the likelihood of getting it on you is high. So what we do is wear a lot of protective clothing, including goggles and gloves, and pack between the branches with bunched up newspaper to keep the branches from scarring each other.
Then you use a tool to separate the roots from the sides of the pot. Lay the whole thing flat on a tarp on the ground. With 2 to 3 people, gently ease the plant out of the pot. Generally you don’t want to disturb the roots too much for succulents, but if it is completely pot bound, then a small amount of root massage to redirect the root tips is recommended.
Place the plant into the new larger pot (we recommend terra cotta) with fresh fast-draining cactus soil so that the top of the soil line stays in the same place. Fill around with more soil, and you’re done. Don’t water for 2 weeks to let the roots heal, and the plant should begin to thrive again.
Good luck,
Peter
This was a follow-up to a previous question about an underpotted plant.
