Repotting guide

When & how to repot Geum 'Totally Tangerine' (Geum 'Totally Tangerine')

Also called Totally Tangerine avens.

More about geum 'totally tangerine'

About Geum 'Totally Tangerine'

Geum 'Totally Tangerine' · also called Totally Tangerine avens · flowering

A sterile hybrid avens prized for waves of warm apricot-orange saucer flowers on tall wiry stems from late spring into summer. It forms a tidy clump of scalloped basal leaves, thrives in moisture-retentive but well-drained borders, and rewards deadheading with months of bloom. A reliable, long-flowering perennial loved by bees and cottage-garden designers.

Mature size: 60-75 cm (24-30 in) tall in flower, spreading 40-45 cm (16-18 in)

Watch for — Powdery mildew: Crowded, dry-rooted plants develop white leaf coating; improve airflow, keep roots moist, and remove affected foliage.

How to tell geum 'totally tangerine' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For geum 'totally tangerine', watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for geum 'totally tangerine') flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot geum 'totally tangerine'

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Geum 'Totally Tangerine' is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Clump-forming herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette of evergreen-to-semi-evergreen leaves and tall, branching, airy flower stems held well above the foliage..

What size pot to step geum 'totally tangerine' up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Geum 'Totally Tangerine' positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping geum 'totally tangerine' into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot geum 'totally tangerine'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for geum 'totally tangerine'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting geum 'totally tangerine'

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide geum 'totally tangerine' out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip geum 'totally tangerine' out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained loam, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water geum 'totally tangerine' again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for geum 'totally tangerine'

Geum 'Totally Tangerine' wants fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained loam. Neutral to slightly acidic. Improve heavy clay with grit and compost; pure sand dries out too fast for steady flowering. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting geum 'totally tangerine' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot geum 'totally tangerine'?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for geum 'totally tangerine'. Only repot geum 'totally tangerine' every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained loam. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does geum 'totally tangerine' need?

When is the best time of year to repot geum 'totally tangerine'?

Does geum 'totally tangerine' like to be root-bound?

Yes — geum 'totally tangerine' genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise geum 'totally tangerine' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting geum 'totally tangerine'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.