skip to main content

Gardening in the UK

Pot bound roots

21 years ago

I have some pot-bound shrubs which I need to plant out in the garden. Should I try to tease out some of the roots to spread them ? (I am afraid of leaving air-spaces between them) OR can I make two or three cuts with a sharp knife to encourage them to grow new finer roots, OR should I just put them in as they are, and PRAY?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

lori_londonuk
21 years ago
I'm no expert on this and perhaps someone will have the benefit of more experience than I but I wouldn't leave them just as they are - I would have thought either of the other alternatives would be better. I'd give them a good soaking, let it sink in a while and then tease out as much as I could before planting in a hole bigger than the pot, filling in with compost. And then another good watering to help make the new soil sink down, adding more as needed up to the original planting depth. Is this a good time to plant now, though (don't know if Mid-Wales is getting the same very dry conditions as here)?
RosariumRob
21 years ago
I'm not an expert either, but she is:

Here is a link that might be useful: Horticultural myths by Linda Chalker-Scott
Related Discussions
Ponytail Palm
Q
Comments (2)
thats one massive and hell-a-tall ponytail you got there!!! i've had luck both ways. i've got two large (though not as large as your) pontytails. one i went ahead and whacked the head off when it got to tall for my porch. its been a year since then and i've now got three nice full branches. the other ponytail i inherited from my grand mother. it had been in the same pot for nearly ten years!! the pot was huge and i was low on space so i just tipped the plant out of the pot and whacked a third of the roots off the ball with my trusty kitchen knife and re-potted. its been a little over a year since then, and its thriving on a south-facing enclosed porch. i'm sure others will be able to get a little more technical about it. but my ponytails have seemed to thrive on the very little attention i give them. i only water them maybe once a month. and if i put them in the shower to get the dust off the leaves, i just count that as my watering. i only feed them twice a year, and that's if i remember too. good luck, that's a gorgeous palm, and hopefully you can get many more years of enjoyment out of it.
...See More
Miracle Grow Cactus Citrus Potting Mix - Anyone use this??
Q
Comments (21)
I too wish I lived further south, heck, even southern Illinois, a lovely area, all seasons..it's a zone up from my locatioin..z6. Kev, standards do well in pots. What size will you start with? As long as you don't overpot..overpotting equals more soil, more soil equals, too much water, and you know what happens when a plant is overwatered, unless it's a bog plant.. :) I agree about keeping citrus outdoors all night..If you suspect freezing temps, then perhaps it's best bringing indoors..no, not perhaps, if it drops down to 32F, I'd definately bring inside. Even established trees, grown in-ground, need roots cover when temps dip 32 and lower..which would be considerably harder on potted plants w/so=so space.. Oh I can't wait till citrus go outside..most plants..bet they can't either..Toni
...See More
A Mail Order Story
Q
Comments (22)
This is the first credit. I haven't contacted them with the exception of my first order which had the damaged/dead Ginkgo and girdled pine. At the end of the day I don't have a problem working with them IF they work with me. I let all the single plant duds on each order slide because of the nice plants I did get. Check out your thread for what I got. The moral of the story is if you get plants like this contact the nursery, express your concerns and get a resolve that works for both of you. Email DOES NOT work with this company by the way (which bothers me a bit) so you have to use the classic means of communication with them. Still, shame on the owner for sending these plants. I'll get a replacement order in spring, which is fine but I've found much better sources to work with going forward.
...See More
Nervous about repotting my 35 year old calamondin
Q
Comments (131)
Jenny, I know what those are!!! I have one..lol Seems you and I like the same plants! How about a Colanthra? Winter sweet? and one other@?!!!! Oh, boy, you need one of those! lolIf you like fragrant, these will blow your mind away. I have all. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimonanthus https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=7DBzW8CMGNGSzwLW16-4Dw&q=winter+sweet&oq=winter+sweet&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l4j0i10k1j0l2j0i10k1j0l2.2283.4531.0.5385.12.12.0.0.0.0.144.960.11j1.12.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.12.947...0i131k1.0.May9nQMcTDw https://nurcar.com/collections/woodies-all/products/calycanthus-venus-pp15925 https://nurcar.com/collections/woodies-all/products/edgeworthia-chrysantha-winter-gold https://nurcar.com/collections/woodies-all/products/edgeworthia-chrysantha-winter-gold Vladimir, excellent work!
...See More
flowersandthings
21 years ago
Any time I plant pot bound shrubs etc. (and plants from the garden center usually are) I as you said "tease" out the roots. It's really best for the plant. Otherwise they will continue to grow in a circle and the roos will say bound to one another not allowing for enough proper drainage etc. in between roots. Cutting with a knife sounds extreme as you don't want to do to much damage. It takes a few extra minutes but is well worth it. When plant is watered (not soggy but not bone dry) pop out of pot and with your fingers "tease" roots from their tangle. You'd be amazed at the very long pieces (of root) you discover. Plant where you planned allowing enough space for newly "freed" roots and of course water well.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES The Beauty of Bare-Root Plants

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant dormant trees and shrubs in fall using the easy, affordable bare-root method and enjoy beautiful results in spring

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Many Cultures Make Their Marks on Mediterranean Design

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

If you live in California, Florida or certain other parts of the U.S., your architecture may show distinct cultural influences

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Explore the role of architectural fashions in current designs through 5 home styles that bridge past and present

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: The 3 Waves of Italian Renaissance

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

The 15th-century study of ancient Rome delivered an important 20th-century style that is seen again today

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Complex, Romantic Gothic Revival

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

With its medieval heritage, Gothic design makes a lasting impression in art and architecture

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Midcentury Styles Respond to Modern Life

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

See how postwar lifestyles spawned a range of styles, including minimalist traditional, ranch, split level and modern shed. What's next?

ART The Beauty of Bonsai — Living Art, Rooted in Harmony

By creative jewish mom.com

Create your own emblem of nature's balance with an art form dating back 1,000 years

FEEL-GOOD HOME Rejuvenate Your Home With Deep-Rooted Traditions

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Give the subtle energies and spiritual side of your home some attention, and watch newfound calm and beauty blossom

MODERN HOMES Houzz Tour: A Modern Home Rooted in Its Place

It's partially buried in the earth, but with a cantilevered roof and strong colors, this Ottawa home is anything but shy

DECORATING GUIDES Conjure a Jungle in a Pot

By creative jewish mom.com

Sprawling, climbing and with primitive-looking leaves, philodendrons bring untamed beauty to even the most civilized homes

Sponsored