Potting Predicament
Hey everyone! Back again with my potting confusion. On the 16th last month, I got this Kalanchoe from a Walmart (I think), and it came in this nice little clay boot pot. Well, this lovely boot has no drainage whatsoever. Now, I’d like to be able to take care of this lovely plant, so should I try drilling holes in the boot? Should I switch the pot entirely? Should I get better soil for it in the process (I don’t know what it’s currently potted in)? Will this plant even survive indoors in North Carolina? How should I go about taking care of it? (P.S., I tried taking the crappy paper sticker off to check for drainage underneath it, it neither came off nor gave in as if there was a hole) #NewPlantMom #pottingadvice #FloristKalanchoe #NCGregGang soil">#pottingsoil
2ft to light, direct
5” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 week ago
11
Best Answer
@ravioliApproved if you stick your finger down the side of the top, can you feel any rim of a plastic nursery pot, say? Often times, plants like this are sold in plastic nursery pots WITH drainage and placed in a decorative outer pot (also called cache pot, or cover pot). That way you can take it out to water, or dump the extra water left behind in that cover pot.
If it’s really actually planted straight into that boot, then yes, drilling a hole might be necessary. But usually they don’t plant straight into a pot without drainage like that.
If it’s really actually planted straight into that boot, then yes, drilling a hole might be necessary. But usually they don’t plant straight into a pot without drainage like that.
@DreamMachine I can’t actually reach in, the leaves are in the way. I can see soil about an inch down
@ravioliApproved can you tip it on its side and gently and carefully try to wiggle the plant out of the pot?
@DreamMachine I got the plant and all it’s soil out, but the max width of the plastic pot is about the width of the boot’s inner rim. Is plastic alright for this guy, or should I completely switch pots and reuse the boot for non-plant purposes?
@ravioliApproved woohoo!! Nice job 🙌
While it’s totally *possible* to keep them in plastic (if you are careful with watering, and giving it the best conditions possible) planting them in terracotta or unglazed clay pots is usually the safest route, as those porous pots will help wick away water from the roots. The boot pot is super cute, but it won’t allow for the root area to get good airflow. But it is up to you! 😊
While it’s totally *possible* to keep them in plastic (if you are careful with watering, and giving it the best conditions possible) planting them in terracotta or unglazed clay pots is usually the safest route, as those porous pots will help wick away water from the roots. The boot pot is super cute, but it won’t allow for the root area to get good airflow. But it is up to you! 😊
@DreamMachine these are the three best pots I have at my disposal. The outer two are terracotta, and I think the middle one is either glazed clay or ceramic of some sort. Which is best for an immediate repot?
@ravioliApproved oh dear, I’m sorry I missed this last comment! I would use the smallest terracotta one! You only want a pot slightly bigger than the diameter of the root ball. 🤗
@DreamMachine alright, thank you!