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Houseplants. As the days get longer houseplants start in to growth earlier than outdoor plants. If they are happy where they are don’t be tempted to move them around. However, in time, pots may get root-bound and without copious feeding during the growing season your plants will begin to starve, and drop leaves. Ideally re-potting should be done in early spring. Turn the pot upside down, with your fingers either side of the stem, where there is one, and tap the edge of the pot sharply on a table or wall. If the rootball doesn't come out you may need to break the old pot! Tip - water plants really well a couple of days before re-potting, but don't leave them sitting in water. Chances are all you’ll see is a mass of roots. Select a clean pot about 3 cms. larger all round than the old one, together with a proprietary houseplant compost. Clean the old plant up, remove old stakes and ties, dead stems and leaves, and tease or cut out roots near the base if they are very matted. With some plants you might rejuvenate by taking cuttings or dividing clumps instead, or as well as, repotting. Use upturned crocks/shingle over the base for drainage, then a thin layer of compost before offering the rootball into the pot. If it’s too high either chop some more roots off, or select a larger pot! Aim to have the finished soil level at least 2-3 cms. below the edge of the pot for watering, with the old rootball a cm. or so below the new level. Put new compost all round the rootball and use a spoon handle or plant label to ease it down before firming with your thumbs and tapping the pot on a firm surface as you go. This prevents airlocks and ensures stability. But not too firm! Re-stake and tie if necessary. Make sure the soil top is level before you water the plant, with a rose on a can. Have a saucer beneath and allow the pot to sit in water at least over night to ensure saturation. Bearing in mind roots aren't within the new compost don’t overwater but use a rose on the can for the first few times. Generally don’t leave houseplants sitting’ in water longer than 24 hours after watering.

An easier but less satisfactory way of assisting root-bound or starving houseplants, especially large ones, is to literally skim off the top 3+ cms. of existing compost, including any roots, leaves etc., and replace with new houseplant compost. Firm it and water well. Don’t use your garden compost as worms and other beasties will cause havoc in the soil.

Congratulations to KHS member Julia Welchman for winning a bottle of bubbly by correctly guessing 14 of 20 in our plant ident. competition following our AGM on 18th. March.

Finally, a date for your diary, on Sunday 5th. May we have a joint membership stall together with the Rotary Club of Kew Gardens who are fund-raising selling Kew’s Shoes, planted with Sempervivums. Great gifts! See photo below.

Kew’s Shoes. Planted with Sempervivums and selling at the KHS stall at Kew Village Market on 5th. May. Great gifts……See you there!

Richard Ward