• If you need help identifying a pepper, disease, or plant issue, please post in Identification.

Root Pruning?

NIbbles

NIbbles

my two year old reaper is in a 6 gal pot and it is now very badly pot bound. There is hardly any soil and so i have to water it constantly because it does not hold water. I also do not want to put it into a bigger pot. Should i trim the roots or is there anything better that I can do.
 
If you cut back the roots you also need to cut back foliage and branches because the smaller root mass won't be able to sustain a large canopy.

I would say cut some roots and trim the plant and repot it into a larger (10gal) fabric pot. Not sure why you don't want to plant it into a bigger pot but the plant will die if if gets too root bound.
 
I have been successful in trimming back roots (primarily on the sides) and foliage, and replanting in 3 to 5 gallon pots.  The resurgence in buds and pods was good.  This was on Red Bhuts,
 
Ya i would use a sharp serrated knife to carve off the outer layer maybe an inch or two. Do it like a pineapple. If you want to keep it in the same size pot indefinitely, then you will occasionally need to do root maintenance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top