FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hello everyone,

I recently ordered my 1st cephalotus and it arrived a few days ago in great condition, though it was in one of those tiny pots.

I was debating with myself whether better to wait until the end of next winter to repot it (as many advise) or to do it immediately simply because I've read how fussy they can be with moisture levels in the soil and thought it would be easier to maintain a constant moist but not wet level in a bigger, deeper pot.

So, I opted for the later, and since I'd also heard they hate having their roots disturbed, I decided to try to plug the entire soil bound roots from the small pot directly into a crater I had dug in the new pot. While doing this, the self-weight of the soil around the roots kind of snapped the soil plug, and definitely snapped some of the roots

Very hard to say what proportion of the roots were lost, but perhaps 1/4, and as the soil plug kind of disintegrated as I tried to save it, I didn't even get the benefit of keeping most of the remaining roots covered in the original soil. I could just kick myself!

Anyway, do you think I have botched so much, that is now doomed? And if it is, how long before it will become glaringly obvious that it's a goner???

cheers,

Ben

Here's a pic of it in it's new pot in case that could be of any help

I break roots on plants pretty much every time I unpot them. Does it effect the plant? Yes, but given good conditions the plant will recover. It just takes a little longer usually because the plant will start the recovery process with the root zone.

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The plant should be fine. Based on my experience you should know within a couple days if you caused any setbacks. If you see leaves or pitchers dying back, it's a good idea to give it some elevated humidity (don't forget airflow!) until it starts growing normally again.

Thank you all so much for tips anc reassurances- a bit off topic but that's how the internet should be!

nimbulan wrote:The plant should be fine. Based on my experience you should know within a couple days if you caused any setbacks. If you see leaves or pitchers dying back, it's a good idea to give it some elevated humidity (don't forget airflow!) until it starts growing normally again.

I agree with Boarderlib but I take it one step further.
I automatically dome or bag the plant when I transplant it.
I leave it for 2 to 4 weeks.
I check it daily and open bag or remove lid for air-exchange then close back up.

Just my two cents worth.

Good growing,
Mike

Shadowtski wrote:I automatically dome or bag the plant when I transplant it.
I leave it for 2 to 4 weeks.
I check it daily and open bag or remove lid for air-exchange then close back up.

Just my two cents worth.

Good growing,
Mike

Ditto on that. I always bag Heliamphora and Cephalotus for at least 2 weeks after repotting. It's not always required, but it will definitely help prevent loss if you do it.