Look for a pot that has tiny holes on the bottom so that excess water can drain away from the plant. This prevents the water from settling around the root ball and rotting it. Get a tray to put under your pot if it doesn’t come with one. The tray will catch the excess water so it doesn’t stain the surface below your pot. Some pots have a tray attached to them. If this is the case for your pot, check the inside of the pot for drainage holes, as you won’t be able to remove the tray. While this is optional, it will help you prevent overwatering in the future. Simply layer the mulch at the bottom of the pot, estimating about a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) layer. Leave the mulch loose instead of packing it down. The mulch will help the water drain out of the pot faster so it doesn’t drown your roots. If you removed moldy or algae-covered soil or your new pot is bigger, you’ll need to add fresh potting soil. Pour the new soil around the roots of your plant. Then, fill up the rest of the pot until you reach the base of the plant. Lightly pat the top of the soil to make sure the plant will stay in place. If necessary, add a little more potting soil after you pat down around the plant. You don’t want to see any exposed roots. When you first re-pot the plant, pour water over the soil to moisten it. Then, check the soil before you water the plant again to make sure the soil feels dry, which means the plant needs water. When you water the plant, pour the water directly over the soil so that it goes to the roots. It’s best to water your plant in the morning so that the light from the sun will help dry it faster.

Summary: Transfer your plant to a pot that has drainage holes and a tray. Add 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of mulch at the bottom of the pot for drainage. Add new potting soil around the plant if necessary. Water your plant only when the top layer of soil feels dry.


There are certain environments that increase your chance of exposure to leptospirosis. Factors like climate and land use can make conditions more favorable to the bacteria that cause this infection, so knowing where and when to be alert to those conditions can reduce your chance of infection.  The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are found in temperate or tropical zones. Water is one of the most common places of contamination and infection. Urine from infected animals is also a common source. Both domestic and wild animals can be infected. These include, but are not limited to, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs and rats. Certain hobbies and professions carry a higher risk of exposure to infection. Know which environments can lead to exposure.  Athletes who participate in outdoor sports like kayaking and rafting have an increased risk of exposure.  Campers who swim or wade in contaminated water can be infected. Drinking water from contaminated streams or rivers while hiking or camping can be a source of infection. People who work in professions or industries involving animals have higher risks for infection. Veterinarians, dairy farmers, as well as workers in the fishing industry and slaughterhouse facilities all face the possibility of infection. There has also been an increase in infection rates among urban children in recent years. If you have been exposed, you may or may not exhibit symptoms of infection, so talk to your doctor about activities that may have put you at risk for infection. Depending on your history and what symptoms you do have, your doctor will decide which tests to do and if treatment should be started.  Symptoms are typically nonspecific so tests are needed to confirm infection. Signs of infection are similar to symptoms of other illnesses. If there’s reason to suspect you have been exposed and you develop flu-like symptoms, see your doctor. Some people are asymptomatic and may not be affected by the infection. You should see your doctor regardless of how you are feeling if you think you have been exposed. For many people, one treatment will be enough to cure them of the infection. Some people may seem to get better without having sought treatment at all initially.  However, the leptospirosis infection may not actually have been cured.  A more serious form of infection may occur after a seeming recovery, usually about a week after the first range of symptoms have cleared up. For people with a more severe form of infection, symptoms occur in 2 stages. The first stage of the initial illness will be the milder form, with flu-like symptoms. The second stage will typically be more severe and last longer than the first stage. The second stage of leptospirosis infection, called Weil’s disease, is much more severe and can have long term health impacts, or even lead to death.  This second stage can develop after the infection seems to be gone. The second stage can also overlap with the first stage of infection. At this stage, bacterial infection can cause serious damage to the kidneys or liver, even leading to chronic kidney disease or liver failure with jaundice. The bacteria can invade the lungs, posing a serious threat to respiratory health. Severe pulmonary disease, characterized as pulmonary hemorrhage, is a serious complication of leptospirosis.  ARDS or acute respiratory distress syndrome is also a complication of leptospirosis. Signs of lung infection are having a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood due to bleeding in the lungs. Infection can also spread to the heart, causing an enlarged heart, myocarditis, or cardiac arrhythmia. Other complications may include rhabdomyolysis and uveitis.

Summary: Determine your risk of exposure. Be aware of activities that put you at risk. Don’t rely on symptoms alone. Contact your doctor if you relapse. Be alert to signs of second stage infection.


For a fan-forced oven, the temperature should be 40ºC.
Summary: Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius).