I haven't had to root prune yet but I think normally you take off some of the top as well so the roots don't have to support such a big top with a smaller root ball. Wait for someone who had done it though before you listen to me. I know people do it all the time when they are coming out of dormancy but if yours if still growing not sure if you would cut the top or not. You will lose blooms if you cut below the y so don't know what to tell you about that. I bet you could just trim the roots enough to change the potting soil and it would be ok and rejuvenate it.

I have to root prune several brugs because I can't use bigger pots. They are already in 25-30" containers. I take them out of the pots and slice all around the sides taking off a few inches of root and soil with every slice. I just plop it back in the pot and fill it in with new soil. I don't take much, if anything off the bottom and don't know if I should. It's just easier to slice down the sides. I make sure to give them some B1 and Superthrive with almost every watering for a week or so after I prune them.

I had to do it to the Flamenco. It was already rootbound by last fall. I did take some part off from the top also. Just MY feelings that I HAVE to do it to give the plant more soil to grow new roots.
I was just very careful not to cut into this thick root, that has about the size of finger.
Not only is it growing beautifully. But also has some tiny buds on it already.

Last year I said I would try the pot in pot planting for brugs. But then Spring comes around and everything is going crazy with what you got to do. At the end you are just happy that you got them babies growing in a pot or ground.

But this is what I heard a lot of folks do to keep the potsize, one can still handle, to a reasonable size.

You plant your brug in a pot with holes drilled on the sides. So the roots grow out that way and not on the bottom. Which you cover up so it can not happen. Then you sink that pot into a bigger pot. Which can even stay in place all year round. All you do is take the brug out with the little pot. Cutting off the roots on the outside. In your case I would say you do it before it really wants to grow and bloom. If there is such a time? Replace the soil from the big pot with the undisdurbed little pot pack in the same place.

Have not tested it myself yet. But like I said. It is worth a try if size and room matters. do a search. I am sure it has been talked about it before also.

Good luck and keep us informed on what worked for you.
We would not mind pictures either :-)

Lucy

I do my 'root pruning' in the Fall when I dig them up. I only take about 8" diameter of soil with them. I stick them into the smallest pot they will fit in, defoliate them and keep them as dormant as possible over winter. They're growing roots and leaves by the time I set them out in the spring. They will regrow roots readily, but considering how easy they are to root, that's no surprise.

Can you grow new brugs from the roots that you cut off?

Thank you all for the comments and advice. The next time we are over there I will try the root pruning and repotting and see how that goes.

Ibartoo, I'm not sure if brugs can be propagated by root cuttings or not.

before and after

problem posting pics!

before...potbound

iris keep on trying...you will do it! Did you see the tutorial how to post pictures that just came back up a few days ago?

Not sure if you only had problems this time? But this is the place to try :-)

Lucy

Did you resolve a root bound problem?

before root pruning{{gwi:484376}}

2 months later after pruning!{{gwi:484378}}

first congrats on having figured out how to post the pictures...hurrayyyyyyyyyyyy

Second...what a difference it made!!!!! WOW super!

Lucy

Thanks, Lucy. Now if I can just remember how I did it for next time!

On your Brug and picture!
Both look GREAT!!!
Dorothy

Congrats Iris :) She is a happy camper....