What is the proper way to pot plants?

Answer 1

Specifically in proper media - media depends on the plant. Bark mix, topsoil, sand, gravel, moss, etc., all have their uses.

Generally, buy the proper media for the plant. Select a new pot that the plant will not outgrow for at least 1 year unless it needs to be root bound (some orchids). Use terra cotta - breathes and allows water seepage/evaporative cooling of roots. Cover drain hole with a piece of a broken pot - helps keep hole free of debris.

Take plant, trim off dead/rotting roots. Add soil so that crown of plant (where shoots stick up form) sits just below pot rim. Insert plant, add more soil. At this point I use a chopstick or bamboo support stick to poke media in/around roots. Keep working media into root-mass, then add more media until packing is firm. Leave about 1/2 inch between top of media and the pot's rim (for water).

Some plants prefer a very loose media. For some of my orchids, styrafoam peanuts and wine corks work best, others sphagnum moss. Others like redwood bark. I also have several types of ceramic pellets (and pumace) that work well too.

Answer 2

Soak the plant, break the bottom of the root ball up a little and plant the plant to the base of the stem. Allow room in the pot for the plant to grow. For large pots, fill the bottom of the pot with packing peanuts or gravel for good drainage. Always use the correct potting soil and never use dirt from your garden. Some pete moss can be added around the top to help retain moisture.