Water roots to Gritty Mix roots
Dennis
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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Dennis
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Root pruning question - technique and gritty mix
Comments (4)Nil is correct, method 1 is standard for planting into the ground, and method 2 works for pots. However, what should be added to that is that when you root prune, your goal is obviously to reduce the space the roots take up, so eliminating the least useful roots is what you want to do. The larger the root, the less useful it is, being that large roots are more of an anchor, which is great in the ground, but not necessary in a pot. The small feeder roots are what you want, as they do all the work of taking in water and nutrients. I have a rather large ficus 'alii' that I got free from a plant shop, because it was "dead". I literally grabbed it out of the rolling dump cart on its way outside. It was so root bound that the plastic pot was severely bulged, and it probably couldn't take up water, as there was hardly any soil. Long story short, it is now a beautiful tree, thriving in barkless gritty mix. What I did was grab a pruning saw, and cut out ALL roots larger than about 3/4", clipped any dead branches off, clean the old soil off the roots, fill in the gritty mix, and wait. After a few months it sprang to life, and has only improved from there. As for upkeep, I repot it every couple of years, as needed. I basically scoop away the loose gritty mix, pull the tree from the pot, and most of the mix will easily shake away from the roots. I remove about 1/4 to 1/3 of the roots, targeting the largest ones. I usually prune out some foliage to maintain a good form too. Better for you to choose which leaves go, rather than let the plant choose. I know I said long story short, so I guess I got a bit carried away. Anywho, the gist of it is to cut out the large anchor roots each time you repot. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy the benefits of a job well done. Joe...See MoreTaking A Bare Rooted Tree And Potting Into Gritty Mix
Comments (28)Hi Kassieb, Wow.. Haven't seen this thread for a long time!! Congratulations on your treasures that you picked up in Hawaii! I am Sure you had a wonderful time. Just love the islands.... I would always put slits In the bottom of your container that you root in.. I like the clear solo cups or cups from Starbucks.. I used to use bottles.. But I like clear cups better.. ( a friend started me when he sent a cutting rooted in a red solo cup). ;-). I take a pair of scissors and make four slits on the bottom edge of the cup.. Water once and then let them sit on heat and let them work their magic.. It can take up to 8 weeks or so to root, so make sure you are patient when rooting. Have fun!!! Hi Ed!! Those were some beautiful cuttings.. Many thanks to friends!!! BBB is Brads Buds and Blooms.. They are In Florida Laura...See MoreRoots love gritty mix!
Comments (1)Don't they? I had to repot a Sansevieria today because it was trying to escape it's pot. Pretty nice roots though....See MoreAvoiding Root Rot When Transplanting to Gritty Mix
Comments (17)I myself being an avid user of the gritty mix for years do not have much luck either with any of my succulents unless it's a cactus and even those I have killed in it. Not because the mix stinks, but because I do, when it comes to watering properly.. I can not keep up with watering mine before the top few inches dry out and that can be every day in a hot window, hot sun, or under lights. So the very shallow roots near the surface die back and then once a water again, the once healthy roots that use to take up water before I desiccated them in just a day will stop functioning and just rot. If you are one that can water properly, and that means every day on most occasions until the roots have grown into the mix which can be timely, you must water more frequently making sure not to wait too long between intervals. With the mix I now use, containing some peat, I can put mine on any hot surface, on my hot sunny roof, usually meaning full sun, and under hot lights in a warm room, even on a hot window sill in winter, without coming home by the end of the day to see them toasted. It's nice to see that the top layer of my mixes retained enough moisture for a day or two to give me time to water again Then too, no fear of rot even on cool days or no matter how much it rains, because I use a heck of a lot more of per lite and pumice than I do peat....See MoreUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoDennis
5 years agoDennis
5 years ago
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