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Planting
From homeless shelter
to deluxe condo in five minutes! Planting takes only a little time,
but has a great effect on a new plant.
Before you plant, check
carefully beneath the leaves for pests. Rinse the entire plant under
the tap to ensure there are no stowaways.
With some plants, such
as rose bushes, you may soak the roots in water mixed with a little
bleach to further safeguard from pests and disease.
Be sure your container
has proper drainage, with clean rocks, shards of terra cotta, a
coffee filter, or a screen over the drainage hole. Fill the container
with a couple of inches of fresh potting soil, to about the point
where the plant's roots will reach. Center your plant in the pot,
and if necessary, carefully spread out the roots. The top of the
roots, or base, should be about an inch below the rim of the pot.
Fill the rest of the pot with potting soil, and pat it down to anchor
the roots.
Do not pack the potting
soil, or you could cause drainage problems. Water your plant thoroughly
to set the roots, then mulch. Your plant may suffer some shock,
but will perk up quickly once it settles into its new digs.
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