To tease or not to tease

[Flex]

So to tease the roots when you transplant or not to tease... Any stage, from seedlings to bigger pots, from bigger pots to even bigger pots, or even the ground.

Discuss.

 

[LUCKYDOG]

I like to loosen the ball a little bit and spread the middle out --- Something I always did when I landscraping I still do it and no problems for me

Then I tickle them until they pee just like my kids used to good times

 

[Chiliac]

Same here, I'm just loosening the ball a little (unless it seems in appropriate). I also use a bit of rooting powder when transplanting.

 

[chilliman64]

I'm a teaser, but I don't need rooting powder, I use my personality

 

[Flex]

What are the pro's and con's, if any?

 

[Chiliac]

Pro: more and faster rooting
Con: Extra expenses

 

[wordwiz]

I don't loosen up the roots at all except for adding a health amount of water and then covering.

Mike

 

[willard3]

Another advantage of hydro is that roots are already loose/combed out when you transplant......don't have to do anything.

 

[rainbowberry]

I've never loosened the roots but that's more to do with the fact I hate re-potting and doing anything extra is something I've never considered before. Also I'm the clumsiest person ever when I re-pot.

 

[wordwiz]

Also I'm the clumsiest person ever when I re-pot.

I'm quite clumsy when I'm potted.

Mike

 

[imaguitargod]

I only loosen the roots when there is a ton of them in the root ball I'm transplanting.

 

[Mister_Al]

I just pull it out of the cup and put it in the ground. Works for me.

Alan

 

[Sanj]

I loosen them as well...then plant them.

 

[POTAWIE]

I never loosen them and I never get transplant shock with peppers.

 

[AlabamaJack]

I don't mess with the roots either...

One of the things I have read over and over on different gardening web sites is do not disturb the root ball when transplanting...