Re: Your input please? rootbound.

Hannon,
I live in San Diego, Ca., looking for philodendron williamsii, can you be of help in this endeavor, thank you.
Ernesto Collosi, 619-398-5922 


> Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 22:28:58 -0700
> From: othonna@gmail.com
> To: aroid-l@www.gizmoworks.com
> Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Your input please? rootbound.
>
> Steve,
>
> Yes, some rainforest plants are rootbound in the wild if they are
> lodged in small crevices or holes in limestone, e.g., various
> Amorphophallus.
>
> I am a strong advocate of maintaining plants, any plants in pots,
> under rootbound conditions for the reasons that others have given here
> and more. It boils down to the health of the roots, which is really
> the greater part of horticultural method. You will notice that a plant
> is at its best when it is well along after repotting, becoming
> pot-bound, yet before it is really cramped. This ideal state does not
> last more than a year or two in many cases, unfortunately.
>
> The rootbound condition necessitates more frequent and more thorough
> watering (a good thing for many aroids) but otherwise should not be a
> problem for the grower. Shortly before a plant is simply obnoxious
> because it dries and wilts all the time, it should get a bigger pot.
>
> Naturally there are exceptions, such as fast growing plants or aquatic
> aroids, that can be "overpotted" with no ill results. If plant health,
> time of year and other conditions are ideal then it may be fine to put
> a large pot-bound Philodendron in a 6" pot directly into a 5gal tub if
> it is a large species.
>
> I would add that the firmness of the container is important too. Roots
> seem to need physical resistance, and I have generally had much better
> results with very firm, stiff pots (good polstyrene, clay, wooden
> boxes, etc.). Any squishy-soft pots are thrown away. As a consequence
> of "greater efficiency" in modern injection molding I have lots of
> plastic pots 10 years old or more that I value highly.
>
> Particle size of potting media is another consideration, in addition
> to others. It is a complex topic that is not often properly addressed.
> Best of luck with you article!
>
> Dylan
>
>
>
> On 02/09/2010, ExoticRainforest <Steve@exoticrainforest.com> wrote:
> >
> > Some of you know that I love to chase down the sources of horticultural
> > beliefs. If you have ever spent time on any plant forum you know the common
> > advice is to keep your plants root bound, or at least when you repot give
> > the roots only an "extra fingers width" on each side the pot. My question
> > is where do that advice originate? Why do we believe it? Is this really
> > good growing advice or just an old wives tale? Are plants in the rain
> > forest root bound?
> >
> > I understand that nursery men prefer to start their plants in small pots
> > and allow the roots to fill it before stepping the seedling up to a larger
> > pot. My understanding is they do this in order to encourage a hearty root
> > system first. But it appears some growers may have taken this advice to
> > excess and always keep their plant's root bound. Should we always keep our
> > aroids in pots so small their roots are for ever crowded, or give them space
> > to grow?
> >
> > We always have new growers looking for good growing advice. If you have
> > adopted a small pot policy please tell us why. If you are an experienced
> > grower and prefer a tight pot method I would enjoy knowing the reasoning.
> > Many of you don't know that I have written for years for a variety of
> > magazines and I have another train of thought in this area. I am now
> > working on a new article to explain about aroid growth, a plant's need for
> > oxygen around its roots as well as how to keep their root systems healthy.
> > This discussion will help me to formulate my article.
> >
> > If you are new to growing, please chime in.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Steve
> > www,ExoticRainforest.com
> >
> >
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> >
> >
>
>
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> fire,--- conscience.
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