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Palms & Cycads Soil, Compost & Mulch Container Gardening

To Flare or Not Root Flare?

6 years ago

Hi all,

I'm quite new to almost all of this. And am really not sure how much root flare one ought to leave exposed...

Trying to balance an interest in mixes with the (as it were) proper way to plant... still not fully aware of where to stop when it comes to topdressing, and would like to err on the proverbial rather than do some lasting damage.

While admittedly semi-conscious that I may have shortchanged this palm when I decided to pot it "up" about a week ago, I'd hugely appreciate any input/info/advice re the proper/improper manner in which I've gone about coverIng this trunk/flare.

Having read that palms are particularly sensitive when it comes to having their roots tampered with, I've tried to hold back on both the mulch (a far from aesthetically pleasing variety at that) and -- perhaps more importantly (?) -- am vm on the fence re whether or not to fiddle around with a bunch of the creeping surface roots that were/are all over the place (the palm was pretty much ready to burst out of its prior pot).

Seems like covering a bunch of them with more mix or topdressing w compost would also end up burrying a chunk of the thicker (flare?) roots.

Apologies (in advance) for a somewhat overwrought post... I'd be grateful for even a mote of advice re how to go about the task at hand.

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Comments (4)

tropicbreezent
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Don't really know which species of palm you have there but I've never had any problems after covering over exposed roots. There have been times when I've raised the ground level and covered well above any exposed roots and still no problems. So I don't think leaving them exposed or covered will make any significant difference. That said, with the limited soil volume of a pot covered might be better. Mine are in the ground.
B. Tertzak
Original Author
6 years ago
Sorry bout that, I ought to've specified that it is an xmas palm aka adonidia merrillii.

I appreciate the feedback -- perhaps I was being unnecessarily cautious in assuming the thicker/woodier roots shouldn't be buried. Looks like your experience(s) are quite telling re placating said assumption/concern. + I figure those surface roots could use the soil.

Thanks for offering some perspective!
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I'm not worried about the tree falling; I'm just wondering why that crook developed. Like, could there have been girdled roots already present when they planted it and now that the trunk grew in girth they are starting to choke it? I really doubt that there would be any visual evidence this early in the game. The symptoms of girdling roots don't show up very quickly, it would take several if not many years to encircle and choke a tree. Girdling roots start out as circling roots. Circling roots happen when a tree is planted too deeply in the soil, roots then will grow up towards shallower, oxygen rich ground. Once they get to a level that they like, they start growing laterally again. Trouble is, the don't have a sense of direction and can start growing back toward the tree and at times around the tree.This can also be caused by trees that are in a pot way too long at the nursery. I think that being you have a true root flare at the correct depth on one side of the tree, that means that the part of the trunk that needs to be at the right level, is at the right level, so you should be fine imo. You'll probably have to live with that 'crook'. Don't know what caused it but hey, it's a tree and trees will grow the way they want to no matter what we try to do. That's remarkable growth btw. And you don't have to be too quick to prune anything, even by next year would be fine.
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tropicbreezent
6 years ago
This is my largest A. merrillii, still a small tree yet. No sign of exposed roots. My guess what's happened with yours is the organic matter in the potting mix rotted and the soil level dropped. Some of my other species of palm send out roots well above ground level, seem natural for them.
B. Tertzak thanked tropicbreezent
B. Tertzak
Original Author
6 years ago
Really appreciate the photo actually, it's quite helpful.

I tend (due -- in my defense -- to relative inexperience) to over-fret re potentially over or under planting... palms or otherwise...

I'm hoping there's some knack I'll encounter (probably like a brick wall or neurosis or peace of mind) eventually.

Keeping the surface roots (or the topmost ones for that matter) properly covered w/o feeling as though I've simultaneously buried the trunk... perhaps I'm making it more arcane than it ought to be. The advice form someone w some experience really comes in handy.

thanks again

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