Roots not getting enough Oxygen?

hey,

I just transplanted some plants to pots from cups. I filled the pots half way with soil and the saturated them with water. I then set the plants in the pots, filled around with more soil then saturated with water.

Last time I did this the plants died a few weeks later. I'm thinking now that the soil was too tightly packed and the roots couldn't get enough oxygen.

When transplanting, should I just put soil loosely in the pots, maybe add some water (not saturate), put the plants in the pots and then fill around loosely with more soil. Let the soil settle naturally.

Which is best, saturating the soil with water or not add water?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Python (Monty)

Well, i understand your concern. The only time your roots wouldn't be getting enough oxygen is if you've either packed the soil in there like there's no tomorrow.. or you over watered her. You need to saturate the soil when transplanting to give the roots the proper direction to grow (down). Don't make mud. and don't pack the soil in there so it's as hard as a brick.

The water should pack the soil down enough without you having to push on it..
I couldn't say why your plants died a few weeks after you transplanted them.. but if the transplant was the cause of that, it would've died within days.. not weeks.
Remember to water you plant that you're transplanting a day in advance, otherwise your rootball will fall apart when you try it.

Cheers man.. I grew up on your name. Monty Python,Faulty Towers and John Cleese.

Hope this helps. :P

probably not best to soak the soil when re-potting just spray lightly to give damp effect. should help

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chisme

probably not best to soak the soil when re-potting just spray lightly to give damp effect. should help

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what about the soil at the bottom of the pot?