Terracotta pots

miffycat1, Feb 6, 6:41am
Has any one any idea how to separate 2 pots that have become stuck together . !
The top pot is a special one & i do not want it broken.

stevee6, Feb 24, 3:46pm
x1
Try lying the pair on their sides and rolling them gently, pulling at the top one as you go. Often gravity does the job.
Otherwise, you could sink them into a bucket of hot water until the bottom one is almost submerged, then pour some very cold water into the top one. The hot water will expeand the terracotta and the bottom and the cold tighten it at the top.
Third idea, keep them in a dry place on their sides for a few days. Terracotta swells when it's damp which will likely have locked the two together. Once they're dry, gravity will do the trick.


How to unstick terracotta pots
First off, it's important to understand why your terracotta pot is stuck in the first place. Terracotta is a porous material, which means it can absorb water and expand when wet. If the pot was left outside in the rain or was overwatered, it's possible that the soil has become compacted and is now holding the pot in place.

So what can you do to unstick the pot? Here are a few things to try:

Soak the pot in water. Fill a bucket or basin with water and let the pot soak for a few hours. This can help loosen the soil and make it easier to remove the pot.

Tap the sides of the pot. Use a rubber mallet or a piece of wood to gently tap the sides of the pot. This can help loosen the soil and make it easier to remove the pot.

Use a garden hose. If you have access to a garden hose, try spraying water around the sides of the pot. This can help loosen the soil and make it easier to remove the pot.

Use a plastic knife. Slide a plastic knife between the pot and the soil to loosen any compacted dirt. This can make it easier to remove the pot.

Turn the pot upside down. If all else fails, try turning the pot upside down and tapping the bottom. This can help loosen the soil and make it easier to remove the pot.

Once you've successfully removed the pot, it's a good idea to clean it thoroughly to prevent any bacteria or fungus from growing. You can use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean the pot, or you can use a commercial terracotta cleaner.

In the future, it's a good idea to avoid overwatering your plants and to store your terracotta pots indoors during periods of heavy rain. This can help prevent them from getting stuck in the first place.

So there you have it - some tips and tricks for unsticking a terracotta pot. With a little bit of patience and some elbow grease, you'll have that pot free in no time. Happy gardening!

Best of luck.