The elephant's foot is one of those plants that you don't need a green thumb for. However, it needs to be repotted from time to time. There are a few things to consider.
The elephant's foot originally comes from Mexico and is one of our easy-care potted plants. It grows relatively slowly, especially in pot culture, it remains significantly smaller than in its homeland, where it can reach a height of about nine meters. Therefore, it does not have to be constantly repotted. However, it may be necessary for the plant to be moved to a new planter. In this article, you will learn how to recognize that the elephant's foot needs to be repotted and how best to proceed.
How do you know if the elephant's foot needs repotting?
There are a few signs of when a plant needs a new planter. To be on the safe side, check the roots first. If the roots are already growing out of the drainage hole, this is not necessarily a sign that a new plant pot is needed. You can only find out whether the roots completely fill the planter when the plant is lifted out of the pot. If the ball consists almost entirely of root system and the substrate is hardly recognizable, it is time for a new and much larger planter.
The substrate itself can also provide an indication of whether repotting is necessary. Often the soil already shows superficial discolouration. If a white incrustation has formed on the substrate, it was probably poured with hard water or the elephant's foot got too much fertilizer.
Basically: The elephant foot should be repotted about every three to four years.
When is the ideal time to repot?
Spring is the ideal time for repotting the elephant's foot. It may also be necessary to transplant the plant after purchase. If the roots are already pushing out of the planter on the sides, this is a clear sign that the planter appears too small. If the plants have been in the shop for too long, the substrate may already be used up and the plant may suffer from growth disorders.
The right oneSelect planter
Transplanting usually means not only replacing the substrate, but also replacing the planter. It is important to meet the needs of the plant. So that the elephant's foot can spread sufficiently, the plant pot should be at least 20 percent larger than the plant itself. It is also important that there are enough drainage holes for the irrigation water in the bottom of the pot. Matching the watering behavior to the requirements of the elephant's foot is not always easy. Therefore, it can quickly lead to waterlogging if you overdo the watering. A flat planter is therefore well suited for the elephant's foot, as this prevents waterlogging. Original planters are of course also possible.
Important:
If the planter is placed in a saucer, the irrigation water in the saucer should also be removed regularly.
Be careful when stuffing
Before the elephant's foot can move to the new planter, you have to unpot it. You should proceed carefully so that the roots are not damaged. It is not uncommon for the planter to be completely penetrated by the root system. You can tell by the tangles that show up on the bottom and sides of the jar. It often literally pushes the root ball out of the plant pot.
You can tilt the plant sideways to be able to remove the elephant's foot better from the planter. If the elephant's foot cannot be removed from the pot, you can help by hitting the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. If this is also unsuccessful, it is advisable to destroy the plant pot instead of forcibly removing the plant and damaging the roots. Clay pots can be smashed. For plastic pots you will need secateurs. Cut carefully and ask a helper to pull the plant pot away after cutting.
Repot elephant foot - step by step instructions
Step 1:
After choosing the right planter, the elephant's foot is potted. Ideally, the plant can be easily detached. Otherwise, one of the methods described must be used.
Step 2:
Once the plant has been freed from the old planter, the substrate should be completely removed. The substrate will be used up after a few years and fungi and bacteria may have settled.
Step 3:
First fill some substrate in the plant pot and then insert the elephant foot. The substrate is now filled up to the edge of the pot and thenwater the elephant's foot well so that it can recover from the hardships of transplanting and retain enough moisture in its trunk.
In these cases, quick action is required
In the event of waterlogging, you should act quickly. In this case, it doesn't matter whether the roots still have enough space in the plant pot. Repotting can be seen as a last resort. However, this measure will often no longer help, namely when the trunk has already begun to rot.
In the event of waterlogging, you should try to completely free the root ball of soil after untamping and then dry it. To do this, lay the elephant foot in the sun for a few hours or use the lowest setting of a hair dryer to dry it. Now replace the substrate completely and water it only slightly so that the elephant's foot can recover from its excess moisture.
Important:
Immediate repotting is necessary even if the soil is over-fertilized or s alty.
When not to repot
If the plant only grows sparsely, although the roots still have enough room to move, you should not repot the plant. Repotting means stress and already ailing plants cannot tolerate it. Once the cause of the sparse growth has been found and remedied, the plant should first be able to regenerate and only be repotted when it is he althy and strong enough.