Clay and terracotta are classic materials used for plant pots. It works extremely well and does wonders to drier root systems. Pots made of terracotta have a porous surface that allows air to enter and help the plant. It also allows water to move out of the pot and helps prevent rotting of the root and plant disease.
However, clay pots require regular cleaning once in a while. Soil and water may leave stains on their surface. What is more, the pots can collect harmful bacteria. It is especially important to clean the pot once you remove an old plant and are about to place another one in the pot. If you don’t take enough time cleaning the residue, the bacteria will affect the new plant.
You should always thoroughly clean the pot (and all other gardening tools you used) when handling a diseased or infested plant, You should also perform a deep cleaning of pots when replanting plants, at the end of the growing season, or if you bought them used.
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