Myrtle is a beautiful fragrant evergreen plant that requires regular care in the form of watering, fertilizing and timely transplants to maintain its decorative effect and full development.
When to transplant
- The plant is only purchased from the store;
- The age of the myrtle is from one to three years;
- Pests or diseases have appeared;
- The plant has grown a lot and the flower capacity has become too small.
In the first three years, it is recommended to replant myrtle regularly once a year, since the culture is growing very actively. Older plants will need only one transplant every three years. The procedure is carried out only by the transshipment method, while preserving the earthen coma. A favorable time is the period from November to March, when the plant is at rest. The new flower container should not be much larger than the previous one. When planting, it is recommended to leave the root collar above the soil surface.
A house tree purchased in a store is subject to a mandatory transplant, since it requires replacing the soil mixture with a better one and corresponding to this type of plant. This will help to avoid possible problems with the growth and development of the flower due to the presence of harmful impurities in the purchased soil.
When pests appear, the myrtle should be transplanted without preserving the earthen coma, but, on the contrary, with a complete replacement of the old soil mixture. It is recommended to handle the roots carefully so as not to damage them. This procedure is forced and is a chance to save the entire houseplant from death.
Another important reason for transplanting myrtle is the enlarged root system, which cannot develop in such a cramped area and contributes to the arrest of the growth and development of the culture. Loop-shaped and twisted roots entwine the entire earthen ball and fill the entire volume of the flower vessel. In this case, the transplant procedure cannot be postponed for a long time.
How to transplant myrtle correctly
The composition of a high-quality nutrient soil mixture for myrtle should include the following components: 2 parts of humus, 1 part of vermiculite and a little vermiculite or other baking powder.
For easier removal of the plant from the flower container, it is recommended to stop watering 1-2 days before the procedure. The dried substrate will decrease in volume and the flower will easily be pulled out of the pot if you hold it by the lower part of the trunk. If the transplant is carried out due to the growth of roots, then this method may not work. Then it is better to use a flat, thin object (for example, a metal ruler, a table knife with a rounded end, or something similar) and try to carefully separate the soil from the walls of the container, passing it along the inner walls.
Drainage is poured into a new pot, then the prepared substrate and the plant is placed so that the root collar remains on the surface. Immediately, abundant watering is carried out, after which the water that has seeped into the flower tray after a while must be drained. The soil surface in the plant pot should be covered with a small layer of coconut fiber or vermiculite.
When transplanting due to the appearance of pests or diseases, the roots of the plant must be thoroughly rinsed and all damaged parts removed. Old soil should not remain on the plant, because harmful substances or small larvae of harmful insects may remain in it, which, after transplantation, will again harm the flower. Since this procedure is a real stress for the myrtle, you should not aggravate its condition by making additional fertilizing and abundant watering. It is best to transplant the plant into moist soil and leave it for a few days to adapt in a new location.
When forming and growing a mini-tree (bonsai) during transplantation, the excess part of the root system is pruned, but not more than 30%. Its size should correspond to the size of the crown of the "tree".
At the end of the procedure, the container with myrtle should be placed in a cool, shaded room.
