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African Violets

Wicking question regarding initial repotting to wick system

9 years ago

I use straight promix and hand water my plants. I need to switch to wicks. Promix might be too heavy for a wick, but, my plant all have nice healthy root balls. Shaking out the soil from the roots and repotting seems to me it would just compact and damage the roots. When I repot, I remove a portion of the roots all around the plant with a knife, chop chop, and refill the pot with fresh soil. What should I do?

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Comment (1)

Rosie1949
9 years ago
Mix 1/2 promix and 1/2 perlite and repot with that. When you wick the soil has to be very light and porous.

I have not used promix so if it is that heavy, maybe a 1/4 promix and 3/4 perlite would do better.

Don't add vermiculite or peat moss, they hold too much water. You want a very light mix. If you chop, chop, chop roots when you repot, make sure you remove leaves from the bottom row to compensate. And start those leaves for backup (or trading!)

Anyone else got anything? As I said,,not familiar with ProMix, I use Miracle Grow (in a 1/2 to 1/2 ratio) Rosie
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