Repotting a TC Plant from Flask to Pot — The Precise Guide

A 4cm pot with Fluval Stratum is temporary. Eventually the plant will outgrow it. Not because it is 'tired' — plants do not get tired. Because it is growing, and the roots need fresh space to aerate. When they are cramped, growth slows. New leaves stop developing. It is time to repot. Signs of readiness: white new roots visible on the surface of the LECA (Top Dressing) — this is a clear signal the plant needs space. Leaf height has stalled for 2–3 weeks despite identical conditions. When you gently pull the plant from the pot, it comes out as a tight root ball of material with dense roots around it — a clear sign it was root-bound. Pot selection: jump by one size only. If the plant is in a 4cm pot today, choose 6cm (2.5 inches). Most growers jump two sizes at once and end up with a huge pot full of anaerobic, oxygen-hating soil. Pot too large = substrate stays wet too long. Substrate choice: this is no longer Fluval Stratum. The plant is now mature; it needs stronger structure. Move to the full formula: 40% Orchiata Bark, 30% Perlite, 30% Coconut Coir. The plant will anchor itself better; drainage will still be perfect. Technique: gently remove the plant from the old pot. Work the root-bound material gently with your fingers or a soft brush — the goal: loosen some of the old substrate without tearing the roots. Fill the new pot halfway with substrate. Place the plant in the center. Mix substrate around the roots gently, press lightly to remove air pockets, but never compress hard. Never squeeze the soil. Watering after repotting: water once fully within the first three hours after repotting. Not excessively — the soil should be moist, not wet. After that, maintain high ambient humidity (70%) for one week — this is a transition period even if not explicitly stated here.