Let me start by saying this is not intended for seedlings. Applies only to well established plants.
Generally I will allow the root-bound plant to go dry, or nearly so; I slide my hand over the pot with the stem between my middle and ring finger and turn the plant/pot upside down and try to get the whole pot shaped root ball and dirt out in one piece. Turning the plant right side up I remove as much of the old dirt as possible and then go to the middle of the bottom of the root ball and tear the roots outward creating a cavity which fits nicely over the conical mound of potting soil in the next pot or prepared hole in the ground.
If the pot is too big for this I use a trowel to loosen the dirt from the sides of the pot and pry up from the bottom to break it free and firmly but carefully pull the plant out and proceed as above.
#1. By letting the soil in the plant to be transplanted go dry or nearly so; it tends to lessen the shock because it gets needed water immediately after transplant.
#2. By breaking up the root ball it creates an ideal situation for new root growth. New roots are the feeders of the plant so immediate root growth means a fast recovery.
Even though I'm new to growing Capsicum; this method of transplanting has served me well for 40 years of gardening. Cheers.
This method also works well for keeping a plant healthy in the same pot year after year if one cannot go to a larger pot. It effectively replaces old worn out soil with fresh new soil and gives the roots a trimming which gives them a new lease on life as well.
Generally I will allow the root-bound plant to go dry, or nearly so; I slide my hand over the pot with the stem between my middle and ring finger and turn the plant/pot upside down and try to get the whole pot shaped root ball and dirt out in one piece. Turning the plant right side up I remove as much of the old dirt as possible and then go to the middle of the bottom of the root ball and tear the roots outward creating a cavity which fits nicely over the conical mound of potting soil in the next pot or prepared hole in the ground.
If the pot is too big for this I use a trowel to loosen the dirt from the sides of the pot and pry up from the bottom to break it free and firmly but carefully pull the plant out and proceed as above.
#1. By letting the soil in the plant to be transplanted go dry or nearly so; it tends to lessen the shock because it gets needed water immediately after transplant.
#2. By breaking up the root ball it creates an ideal situation for new root growth. New roots are the feeders of the plant so immediate root growth means a fast recovery.
Even though I'm new to growing Capsicum; this method of transplanting has served me well for 40 years of gardening. Cheers.
This method also works well for keeping a plant healthy in the same pot year after year if one cannot go to a larger pot. It effectively replaces old worn out soil with fresh new soil and gives the roots a trimming which gives them a new lease on life as well.
