To repot, or not?

Question

I have three plants in a 16-inch pot: a 6 foot quenepas (about 15 years old), a date palm with a stem of about 4″ and leaves at least 5 feet tall (at least 20 yrs old), and a dracone marginata about 3 1/2 feet high, (must be at least 30 yrs old.) They all appear to be healthy and thriving, though the dracona isn’t getting any bigger. They are about 6′ back from a south window.

I recently got a bigger pot, 17″ wide at the top with a much bigger base. I would like to move the jungle to the larger pot, but I am afraid of injuring it. Advise? Leave well enough alone, or try to move them? If move, what is the best way to do it with something this size? (For years they were in an ice cream tub, so when I moved them up to the 16″ pot, I just tore the tub apart.)

Answer 1

Re-potting larger plants can be a challenge, you may need professional help. At least have someone else on hand; four hands are better than trying to do it yourself.

This guideline from the following article is an important point: “Don’t wait for outward signs that a plant needs repotting. The following clues tell you it’s time to repot:

1.You see lots of roots coming through the drain hole.
2.You find matted roots near the soil surface.
3.You slip the plant from its container and you see more roots than soil.”

https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/gardening/container-gardening/when-does-a-plant-needs-repotting/

https://www.proflowers.com/blog/how-to-repot-a-plant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67r-RFN0nho

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/learn-more-about-repotting-houseplants.htm