| How to Transplant a Plant Posted: 10 Sep 2018 05:00 PM PDT Transplanting is an important part of plant care. Whether you need to move the plant into a bigger pot or outdoors, it is important that you do it right. How you take care of the plant before transplanting is just as important as how you take care of it afterwards. The process itself is simple, but there is a trick to getting it done right; if you don't do it correctly, you could kill your plant. EditTransferring to a New Pot - Water the plant a few hours before you transplant it. The time of the year does not matter much since you will be keeping the plant indoors. What does matter, however, is the soil. Water the plant thoroughly, then wait 1 hour; this will dampen the soil and make it easier to remove the root ball.[1]
- If you are transplanting a seedling, wait until it forms a pair of true leaves. True leaves are hardier than the delicate leaves you see at first.[2]
- Choose a pot that's 1 size larger than the old pot. It's better to gradually increase the size of your plant's pot as it grows rather than putting it into a giant pot from the start. Get a pot that is 1 size bigger than the one that the plant is already in. Cover the drainage hole in the new pot with a piece of mesh or a coffee filter.[3]
- You want to cover the drainage hole so that the soil doesn't fall out. The water will still be able to come out.
- If the new pot doesn't have a drainage hole, fill the pot with of gravel.
- Fill the new pot with a few inches/centimeters of potting soil. Use enough potting soil so that if you were to set the root ball into the pot, the top of the root ball would sit below the pot's rim. Do not use gardening soil.[4]
- Gardening soil often contains insects, diseases, and fungi. Your plant is not used to these, and it can get sick or die as a result.
- For the healthiest, happiest plant, look for soil that contains equal parts of rich loam, sand/perlite, and organic matter.[5]
- If you are transplanting a seedling, fill the pot to within of the rim. Dampen the soil with warm water and wait 1 hour.[6]
- Turn the pot upside down and gently tap the rim against a table. Cover the top of the pot with your hand so that the plant sticks out between your fingers. Turn the pot upside down, then gently tap the pot's against the edge of a table. This should loosen the root ball and cause it to slide out of the soil and into your hand.[7]
- Do not grab the plant by the stem and pull it out. Break the pot instead as a last resort.
- If you are transplanting a seedling, use a spoon to carefully dig the seedling out. Hold it by a leaf, never by the stem.[8]
- Slide the root ball out and loosen it if the roots are tangled. Most root balls clump together, which is normal. If the plant was in the small pot for a long time, however, the root ball may retain the shape of the pot. In this case, gently squeeze the root ball with your fingers to loosen it.[9]
- If you can't loosen the root ball, use a sharp, clean knife to slice into the sides of the root ball; make the slices deep.
- Be sure to cut away any dead or rotten roots with sharp, clean scissors.
- Set the root ball into the new pot, then fill it with more soil. Cover the top of the root ball with a thin layer of soil. Leave of space between the soil and the rim of the pot.[10]
- If you are working with a seedling, poke a hole into the soil, then tuck the seedling inside. Pat the soil around the seedling.[11]
- Water the plant thoroughly. It would be even better if you added some water-soluble fertilizer into the water, but make sure that it's the right kind for your plant. This will help the plant recover faster. Once you are done watering the plant, do not water it again until the top layer of soil is dry.[12] If you are working with seedlings, keep the soil damp, but not soggy.[13]
- If the pot has a drainage hole, keep watering until water comes out of the hole. If the plant does not have a drainage hole, use your best judgement.
- Bring the plant into sunlight over the next couple of days. Do not put the plant in full sunlight right away or you will shock it. Instead, gradually move it into brighter and brighter areas over the next 2 to 3 days. Keep the plant warm, but avoid heat.[14]
- If the plants start to wilt, mist them with water, then cover them with plastic wrap. Keep them in a cool area, away from direct sunlight for 1 to 2 days.[15]
- Move the plant into a larger pot as it grows bigger. How soon you do this depends on how fast the plant grows; some plants grow faster than others. A slow growing plant typically needs to be transferred to a new pot once every 2 to 3 years. A fast growing plant will need to be transferred to a new pot once per year.[16]
- If you notice the roots poking out of the drainage hole, it's time for a new pot![17]
EditTransplanting a Plant Outside - Research the date when you should move your plant outside. Most plants can be only be planted outside during certain times of the year. The date will depend on what gardening zone you live in as well as the type of plant you have. Online is a great place to start, but seed packets and care tags often contain this information too.[18]
- Begin to harden the plant off 2 weeks before the transplanting date. Stop fertilizing 2 weeks before the transplanting date. Reduce watering, but don't omit it. A week before the date, move the plant outside. Leave it outside for 1 hour on the first day, 2 hours on the second day, and so forth. Keep it out of direct wind and sunlight, and water it often during this week.[19]
- Take the plant outside in the morning each day. You will leave it outside 1 hour longer every day.
- Plan to transplant during the cool part of the day. It would be even better if it is overcast or drizzling. Early morning is a good time, but early evening would be even better, because then your plants won't have to deal with the heat of the day while acclimating to their new home.[20]
- Fill the planting bed with gardening soil. Choose the area that you will be moving your plant into. Make sure that the area has enough sunlight/shade for your type of plant. Dig up any untilled soil, and replace it with gardening soil. For even better results, mix some compost into the soil.[21]
- It would be best to buy the soil from the store. This way, you can ensure that it is pest, disease, and fungi free.
- Dig a hole big enough to hold the plant's pot. Unless the pot is made out of peat or paper, you will be removing the plant from the pot and placing the root ball into the hole. It is difficult to tell how big the root ball is when the plant is still in the pot, however, but if you make the hole the same size as the pot, you can ensure a good fit.[22]
- Turn the pot upside down and slide the root ball out. Place your hand over the top of the pot first, so that the plant is sticking out between your fingers. Carefully flip the pot upside down. If the plant doesn't slide into your hand, lightly tap the rim of the pot against a firm surface, like a table or bench.[23]
- Do not grab the plant by the stem and pull it out. This can damage the plant.
- Leave the plant in the pot if it's made from peat or paper. Instead, cut the sides of the pot so that the roots can reach the fresh soil sooner. It would be good idea to tear away the top inch (2.5 cm) of the pot so that it sits below the soil when you transplant it--otherwise it may soak up the water before it gets to the roots.[24]
- Loosen the root ball with your fingers, if needed. Most root balls are already loose, but some of them are so tight that they take the shape of the pot. If this happened with your plant, gently squish the root ball until it loosens up.[25]
- If the root ball is still too firm, make 1/8 to 1/4-inch (0.32 to 0.64-cm) deep incisions into the root ball with a clean knife.
- Skip this step if the plant is in a peat or paper pot.
- Place the root ball into the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the top of the hole. If the hole is too deep, lift the plant out, and add a few more inches/centimeters of gardening soil.[26] If the plant is in a peat or paper pot, simply place the entire pot into the hole.
- Fill the space around the root ball with more soil and pat it down. The hole will be a little too big for the root ball, so scoop some soil into the spaces between the root ball and the hole. If the hole caves in and becomes shorter than the root ball, simply add more soil around the top of the root ball so that everything is level. Gently pat the soil down when you are done.[27]
- Water the plant thoroughly. After this initial watering, water the plant as often as needed. Depending on the type of plant you have, this could be daily, weekly, or only when the top layer of soil is dry.[28]
- For even better results, add some fertilizer into the water. Be sure to use the right type for your plant, however!
- Spring is the best time to transplant most plants, including annual and perennial flowers, roses, and vegetables.[29]
- For outdoor plants, cover the soil with a 1 to 2-inch (2.5 to 5.1-cm) layer of compost or mulch. This will keep the soil damp and deter weeds.[30]
- If the plant is stuck in its original pot, water the plant through the drainage hole. Use a hose set to a jet stream to ensure that the pressure is strong enough.[31]
EditThings You'll Need EditTransferring to a New Pot - Plant to be transplanted
- New pot, 1 size larger
- Broken pottery, mesh, or pebble
- Potting soil
- Fertilizer (optional)
EditTransplanting a Plant Outside - Plant to be transplanted
- Gardening soil
- Shovel or trowel
- Fertilizer
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Accept Who You Are Posted: 10 Sep 2018 09:00 AM PDT Sometimes, you might hear the term self-acceptance and roll your eyes: "How can I improve if I accept myself for who I am? Won't I become lazy or stagnant?" The idea of self-acceptance isn't about not growing or changing. It's about recognizing that you are enough, no matter where you are on your journey. It's about loving and appreciating yourself for what you offer the world around you. Spend some time highlighting your best traits— it's a great way to start developing self-acceptance. EditCelebrating Your Strengths - Make a list of what makes you awesome. Grab a sheet of paper and list out your best traits. Don't be shy about it. Write down strengths you admire about yourself as well as compliments you've gotten from others.[1]
- For instance, you may include things like "I'm really organized" or "People always say I'm a good speaker."
- You can keep your list of strengths in a book and then refer to it whenever you need a confidence boost. If you ever get thank you notes or positive feedback from other people, put them in the book to help remind you that others appreciate you for who you are.
- If you need help determining your strengths, try taking the character assessment at https://www.viacharacter.org/www/.
- Ask for positive feedback from those around you. By default, you're never able to see yourself through the same lens that others see you. So, reach out to a few close friends or family members and ask them to identify strengths they see in you.[2]
- You might hear the usual compliments, but someone may also identify an area that you don't usually see as a strength. This may sound like "I think you are always there for people when they need you" or "I never hear you gossip and that's a good thing."
- Add these new strengths to your preexisting list of good traits.
- Recite positive affirmations about your best traits daily. Use the list you've built in a powerful affirmation session each day. Go down the list and read aloud each of the traits, adding "I am" in front of each one.[3]
- For instance, you might say "I am really organized" and "I am always there when people need me."
- Upon completing your affirmations, you are likely to feel more confident and empowered about who you are as a person.
- Exercise your strengths in the world around you. Take on challenges that play to your strengths. This helps you build a "can do" attitude. Over time, you'll start to define yourself less by your mistakes and more by your talents and accomplishments.[4]
- If you're super creative, sign up to help make costumes for the school play. If you're a gifted speaker, join a Toastmasters group to further develop the skill.
- Use your good qualities to help others. Another way to celebrate your strengths is by using them to make other's lives easier. This can translate to a volunteer commitment in your community or simply pitching in when others need help.[5]
- If you're really compassionate, try dedicating some time at a local homeless or animal shelter. If you're great with kids, offer to babysit your neighbor's kids so the couple can have a date night.
EditDealing with Shortcomings - Take ownership for your shortcomings. You may exert a lot of energy wrestling with your shortcomings, but this only keeps you stuck. Take a moment to label what the issue is and sit with the knowledge that your reaction to this issue is within your power.[6]
- For instance, if you feel defeated about your low income, admit that aloud. Say, "My salary affects the way I view myself. I feel helpless."
- Now, empower yourself by imagining that only you can do anything about the situation. You might say something like, "I am the only one who can improve my income."
- Remember that you don't have to be perfect. Learn to accept your weaknesses and shortcomings if they're things you can't change, and find ways to work around them.
- Set realistic goals if you want to change. Acceptance is all about empowerment, so take a look at your shortcomings and decide if you want to work on them or just leave them be. If you want to change, devise a plan using SMART goals to improve in these areas.[7]
- Your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Avoid vague goals like "I want to be happy." A good SMART goal might be: "I want to go up for a promotion to improve my income or apply for higher-paying jobs. I will do this by the end of the month."
- Try not to overwhelm yourself— only take on one shortcoming (like income) at a time.
- Some shortcomings can't be changed, and that's OK. For example, if you think your height is a shortcoming, that's something you can't change. Instead, work on accepting that part of yourself and turning it into a positive.
- Challenge negative self-talk. Notice negative or self-defeating language and start to question its validity. Ask yourself questions: Is there evidence to prove this claim? Does that statement make you feel bad about yourself? Is there another more empowering way to look at the situation?[8]
- For example, you may think "I will never get better at the guitar." Change the self-talk to something more realistic, like "If I practiced more, I can get better at the guitar. But, right now, my guitar-playing is not a top priority."
- This revision helps you view situations more realistically and from a position of self-acceptance (i.e., "I'm okay with not being a great guitar player because it's not my top focus" BUT "I could be better, if I wanted to.").
- Drop the comparisons and see that you are unique. Become more aware of when you are comparing yourself to others. When this happens, go back to your strengths list and remind yourself of all the ways you are uniquely gifted.[9]
- Typically, you are making comparisons when negative self-talk happens. For example, maybe you criticized your own guitar-playing after hearing a friend play.
- Remove toxic or negative people from your life. Spot the negative, critical, and judgmental people in your life and start spending less time with them. These are the people who make a lot of comparisons, gossip, or focus on the negative aspects of situations.[10]
- Others can get inside your head and undermine your ability to be self-accepting. Getting distance from negative people can help improve your self-acceptance.
EditPracticing Self-Compassion - Forgive yourself for being human. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion and say "sorry" to yourself for being judgmental or demeaning. This might sound like, "I'm sorry for beating myself up when I make mistakes. I am only human and all humans are imperfect in some way."[11]
- Do this every time you find yourself in a cycle of criticism or disapproval.
- Generate loving-kindness towards yourself. Aim to accept and love yourself as you would a close friend. Instead of being hard on yourself when you make a mistake, caress your arm or shoulders as if to say "There, there, don't be sad."[12]
- You might even hug yourself if this feels comfortable, or notice when you need a hug and ask someone else to give you one.
- Adopt a self-care routine. Regularly engage in activities that affirm your self-worth. Feeding yourself healthy foods, exercising, and going to bed early are all ways to remind yourself that you are good and worthy of nurturing.[13]
- Self-care can be anything constructive that makes you feel good, such as soaking in a tub of bath salts, listening to your favorite album, coloring, going for a run, performing self-massage, or cuddling with your dog.
- You can even use your self-care routine to counter any negative talk you've had about yourself. For example, if you typically criticize your facial skin, spend extra time applying a face mask and caring for this part of you.
- Find others who lift you up. Showing compassion for yourself means building relationships with positive, uplifting people who make you feel good about who you are. Identify those people in your life and set an intention to be with them more often.[14]
- If you don't have many loved ones who are accepting of you, consider joining a support group or a club relating to a hobby or interest.
EditRelated wikiHows
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Decorate Glass Bottles with Paint Posted: 10 Sep 2018 01:00 AM PDT Painting glass bottles is a fun and creative way to recycle bottles while making your home beautiful at the same time. Painted glass bottles can be used for any number of festive occasions, or as accent pieces your visitors are sure to notice. You can also choose from a range of materials and methods to reflect your personality, style, and creativity. With so many fantastic ideas to choose from, you'll be painting glass like a pro in no time. EditSpray-Painting Glass Bottles - Remove the labels. The best way to do this is to submerge them in hot water and let them soak for at least an hour. After soaking, they should come off easily. [1]
- Dry the bottles thoroughly. Be sure that the surface of the bottle is completely smooth. If there are any problem areas where adhesive remains, scrape it off with a utility knife. [2]
- Create designs for the inside of the bottle. If you want simple designs to appear imprinted on the bottle, use foam stickers to cut the designs. Simple shapes or letters work best. If you are using letters in your design, remember to cut them in reverse. [3] To complete the process:
 - Insert the foam stickers into the bottle. If the neck of the bottle is narrow, use a utility knife to carefully feed the sticker into the jar. Once your sticker is in the jar, use a pencil or any other long, narrow object to press the sticker against the side of the jar. [4]
- Wrap your bottle in a plastic bag. Tape the bag to the neck of the jar to keep it in place. Set the wrapped bottle in a tarped area or in a box. Put on some gloves, while you're at it. These measures will help you avoid getting paint anywhere you don't want it.
- Insert the spray paint nozzle into the jar. Spray a layer of paint into the jar or bottle. Wait a few minutes and spray another layer. Rotate the glass bottle so that the paint covers the entire inside. [5]
- After the bottles are completely dry, remove the foam stickers from the inside of the bottles with a utility knife. If you notice that a little paint dripped into one of your covered areas, you might be able to scrape this off with your utility knife.This can happen if the sticker did not fully adhere. [6]
- Spray your first coat of paint on the outside of the bottle. If you only want to decorate the outside surface of the bottle, place your bottles upright on a covered surface, preferably cardboard or cloth, before you begin painting. Make sure that you have enough space in the area that you're working in, and that you don't get too close to the bottles when you spray paint.
- This could cause dripping and uneven areas on your finished bottles.
- Add a second coat if needed. [7]
- Allow your bottles to dry. Always follow the recommendations on the label for dry times, which can vary depending on the brand and type of paint. Leaving them to dry overnight also works well, as this will allow the paint to fully set before you touch or move the bottles. [8]
- Add your own decorative touches. For simple bottles, adding a flower or candle to the bottle creates an elegant look that's great for holidays or special occasions. [9] If you want something a little fancier, you can use ribbons, lace, decals or beads.
- A craft box full of scraps and leftovers is a great place to look for finishing touches and extra decorations for the outside of the bottle.[10]
EditPainting Glass Bottles by Hand - Choose a type of paint. Acrylic enamel paints or acrylic glass paints are generally the easiest to use for glass-painting projects. Solvent-based paints are not a good idea for any glassware you intend to wash on a regular basis.
- Always read the labels thoroughly before selecting a paint. [11]
- Choose a type of brush. There is no specific type of brush required, but some paint manufacturers may recommend a particular type of brush for their paints. If you want to achieve an intricate, finely detailed design, use a smaller, pointier brush. Broader brushes can be used for less elaborate designs. [12]
- Prepare the glass before applying paint. First, you'll need to wash the glass thoroughly in order to remove any dirt, dust, or smudges. Then, rinse the glass thoroughly and let it dry completely. Finally, dampen a paper towel in rubbing alcohol or white vinegar and wipe it down to ensure there is no soap residue remaining. [13]
- If the glass is not perfectly clean, it can make the paint job uneven or spotty.
- Sketch your basic design on a piece of paper. Practice your design on paper before you attempt to recreate it on the bottle itself. If you're having an issue with your design on paper, this will alert you to any potential problems with the design before you start marking up the bottle itself.
- Practicing your design ahead of time is especially helpful if you only have a vague idea or concept at the outset. [14]
- Reproduce the design on the glass surface. Place your paper sketch inside the glass bottle. Use a black liner to trace the design onto the surface of the glass, and keep an alcohol-soaked cloth nearby to remove any smudges that occur.
- If you have a very steady hand, you can use a permanent marker. [15]
- Apply layers of glass paint to the design. Avoid using too many paint tones in your first projects until you become more comfortable with glass painting. Choose basic primary colors and mix them to achieve the desired paint tones. Use paint thinner as needed if you've accidentally applied too much paint.
- Use caution with paint thinner. Too much may result in dripping paint that will not set properly. [16]
- Allow your bottle to dry for at least 24 hours. Depending on the type of paint used, air drying may be the final step. If you have used paint that requires heat setting or curing, you will need to let it dry for 24 hours before applying heat. [17]
- Cure your bottle in the oven. If you used paint that requires heat setting or curing, cure it in the oven. Check the paint's instructions or label for specifics on the temperature or amount of time needed for curing. This could vary based on the paint used. [18]
- Wash the glass. For items that have been air-dried, wash by hand with mild dish soap. If oven-cured, wash on the top rack of your dishwasher. Air-dried items are not suitable for washing in the dishwasher. Air-dried or oven-cured painted glassware should never be soaked. [19]
EditExperimenting with Alternate Painting Methods - Use a syringe to change the bottle's color. If you only want to change the color of the bottle, or paint something on the outside of the bottle while the background of the bottle is a different color, this is the easiest method. It's also not as messy as spray-painting can be.
- Fill the syringe with the desired color and insert it into the bottle.
- Inject the paint into the bottle.
- Rotate the bottle in order to cover it on all sides. [20]
- Add a varnish layer to make it extra shiny. After painting the outside of your bottle, you can also cover it in a layer of varnish to give it a shiny, new look. [21]
- Use tape to create patterns. This is the perfect method to use if you want your bottle to look like you bought it in a store. The result will be one of a kind.
- Cover the bottle in strips of tape and leave gaps in between each strip; then, paint the entire bottle.
- After the paint has completely dried, carefully extract the tape. [22]
- Apply nail polish to create small designs. This is a simple and quick-drying way to achieve your look. This works well if you only want to apply spots or very specific, small drawings, as opposed to larger designs. [23]
- Avoid microwaving your painted glassware. These items are not microwave-safe. Microwaving could ruin your hard work. [24]
EditSources and Citations
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