Potting

• Potting off root cutting • Potting on a Begonia

This photograph shows a root cutting of Acanthus spp. which has been propagated by inserting the 5 cm section of root vertically into the compost. The adventitious bud, as shown by the yellow arrow, will always develop on the root section which was closest to the root ball. The root, as shown by the red arrow, will always develop on the root section which was furthest away from the original root ball.

A root cutting which shows the development of the new root (from Primula spp.) and the adventitious bud which is developing into a new shoot. The root is always produced at the furthest point away from the original root ball. The adventitious bud which is shown by the yellow arrow was closest to the root ball when cut.

Filling the pot, in the potting-off operation.

In potting off, a small depression is made to accommodate the young developing roots.

A young plant which has been potted off into its first container.

Carefully dividing the root ball of Begonia spp., which will be potted on into a new container.

The separation of the Begonia root ball into two separate plants which will now be potted on.

The original depth of planting is shown by the finger pointing, it is advisable not to pot these plants deeply into compost as rotting may occur.

Potting on the divided Begonia plant.

Firming the Begonia plant into the new container with the potting-on operation.