Searching for how people handle Root Bound Pots I found only sporadic info so I decided to make a separate thread for others to find easier in the future. I have a bunch of plants in 3x3x5.5 pots that have very dense root balls. Last year I was afraid to disturb the root ball at all because I read it would shock the plant. I just kind of lightly broke up the bottom of the ball so the roots points down but left the 4 sides untouched. When I pulled my plants last winter a lot of them had very little grow outside the original root ball. CCN recommends using a razor blade to cut the roots 1” deep at the bottom of the ball into a cross then fan the four corners out to encourage root growth. How does everybody here handle a root bound or dense ball plant when transplanting?
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Root Bound Pots
- Thread starter Beaglestorm
- Start date
I've never had a problem when transplanting from nursery stock. I normal just soak the root ball very heavily after removing from the container and don't really cut or break it up. I always make sure that the soil / potting soil is nice and aerated before placing the seedling in there. All my seedlings are on intensive care watch for the first 24-48 hours of their lives until the roots start exploring into their new home.
I'm saying this is the do-all-end-all way of transplanting root bound plants but it has always worked for me.
I'm saying this is the do-all-end-all way of transplanting root bound plants but it has always worked for me.
I never disturb the root ball before transplanting in fear of plant shock. I make sure the soil is wet in the current pot then flip it over to pop it out of the old container and then transplant it into the larger pot or into the garden. I find this way there is hardly any transplant shock. The roots then grow nicely into its new home.
Clarify, please. Are you talking about plants you purchased in their root-bound condition, or plants that you grew that became root-bound while in your care? Either way I'd recommend cutting into the roots. For the former, follow what CCN recommends - they're good people and I haven't found anything misleading from them yet - then also give it a half-strength solution of root stimulant (high P) followed by full-strength a week later. For the later, give the roots a serious chopping before over-wintering - chop both the top (stems) and the bottom (roots) so they are similarly-sized.
Is it the same way you take your coffee Nova???
Surely you can't be serious!!!
I never disturb the sides and have never had an issue in the years I have been gardening. I break the bottom a bit and that is it. Put them in new pots..fill will soil, lightly pack and water. Should be good to go.
he is serious and quit calling him Surely
Try making a cone out of the new soil in the new pot then put in the root bound plant on that and carefully try and stretch some of the roots around the cone then add extra dirt. It will help break up the root ball a little and allow the roots to grow outward in the new pot. Ohh and add a few drops of superthrive in the first watering.
I typically pre-moisten the soil in the new pot, pull the plug out of the tray, and break up the roots a bit on the bottom (about 1/4 of the plug) up before I put them in the new pot. I've done this for the last 4 growing seasons, and I've never had an issue with transplant shock, which leads me to believe that the roots aren't as sensitive and fragile as some think.
Just pop em out and stick em in the dirt; they'll grow just fine and fill the new pot with roots soon enough.