To keep potted orange trees healthy, young plants should be repotted annually and older potted plants every two to three years, depending on the ratio of crown volume to pot size. During this time, the substrate is often already severely decomposed and used up, the root ball becomes felty and the roots begin to grow out of the pot holes.
The right time
Ideally, the orange tree should be repotted at the end of the winter break / at the beginning of the vegetation period, because at this point the roots start to grow vigorously again and can therefore grow into the new substrate more quickly and easily. Due to the root activity, repotting in autumn makes little sense; It is also better not to carry out this measure during the growing season.
Prepare the potting
Before you start repotting, you should look at the roots. Based on the root size and their growth, you can decide which new pot size is right. You can also use this opportunity to remove pests and pull stubborn weeds. The new planter should be about a third larger than the root ball. This sits so high in the new pot that the surface of the earth is at the same level as before.
The optimal substrate
The substrate should be selected more or less roughly according to the plant size. A young plant that is transplanted annually can stand in finer soil. An older and larger solitaire, on the other hand, should already be in coarse soil. It is transplanted less often and by staying longer in the substrate, it silts up and the risk of the orange tree roots suffocating increases.
Repotting an orange tree step by step
And this is how you proceed when repotting an orange tree:
- First, the pot is loosened by tapping roots clinging to it.
- For large tubs, hold the stem and lift the plant.
- Small pots, on the other hand, are loosened from the root ball upside down, the trunk peeks through between your fingers.
- Tap the root ball with the pot in the palm of your hand to loosen the roots.
- Carefully pull off the pot.
- Loosen up the bale.
- The top layer of soil that is not rooted is removed.
- Clay substrate should be rinsed out.
- Fill the new plant pot with a drainage layer and then about two centimeters of substrate.
- Put the ball in the pot.
- Fill it all around with soil and work it in thoroughly.
- Finally, tap the pot all around from the outside to let the soil trickle into the last cavities.
- Water the orange tree vigorously.
tips and tricks
Repot slanting orange trees with a slanted root ball to realign the crown.