Re: CULT: "Shaving" roots
From: John I Jones <jijones@ix.netcom.com>
I thought I might try to summarize a number of the comments on shaving roots,
and planting in pots because it seems as if some of the issues are getting
intermingled with each other.
Lets see if we can get some basic facts organized.
1. Bill Shear's experiment this fall proved that dried out roots on rhizomes
that have been out of the ground for long enough for most of the foliage to
wither are still able to revitalize and grow side "feeder" roots. These plants
did better than some of the same that had had all their roots shaved off and
planted at the same time.
2. Obvioulsy then, rhizomes with plump creamy colored roots and yellow root
tips that have only been out of the ground for a short time will start growing
side feeder roots more rapidly.
3. That is not to say that plants that have had their roots shaved off will
not re-establish. This should be obvious with all the reports we have had on
successful growth after shaving roots.
4. Some people prefer to shave the roots off thier rhizomes because it makes
it easier for them to plant. But, rhizomes planted in this manner are likely
to do "less" well than those planted with some roots attached. (This assumes
of course that in both cases proper care is taken to plant the rhizomes
properly - meaning getting good soil to rhizome contact in the growth area of
the rhizome and existing root structure. Remember here that new roots grow
from the "chin" of the fan or increase). Many of commercial growers shave the
roots. Rick and Roger at Superstition, Maryotts, and others. AND they grow
some amazing rhizomes.
5. Some people prefer to leave the old roots (at least some of them) in place
to help keep the rhizome anchored in place. Wind, animals, careless spouses,
kids - whatever the reason. This would also seem to have the added benefit of
giving the plant a little head start.
6. None of this of course has anything to do with whether you plant in pots
for a while or not. That decision has much more to do with your local growing
conditions and the time of planting.
7. In areas where it is very hot, planting in pots so you can keep them in a
shadier area and control the moisture better may give the plant a month or two
of growth it might not otherwise have.
Personally, I found this summer that starting rhizomes in pots for 4-5 weeks
had several advantages. First, I could do all the work of fussing with the
roots, mounding the dirt etc. standing at my workbench. Made it much easier on
my back. Next, several weeks later, when my beds were finally ready for
replanting, it was very easy to knock the plant, root ball intact, out of the
pot and place it in the ground. It was easier to get the rhizome at the right
level, and I noticed that all the plants had strong, vital, (and not yet
rootbound) root systems that immediately took off in their new location. Any
minor root shock caused by the replanting was more than compensated for by the
4-6 week head start that the rhizomes had in growing new roots systems. I
think that they actually did better in this case than putting them directly in
the ground because their time in pots was during a couple of hot dry spells
that we had this summer. Other plants put in the ground at the same time did
not seem to recover from dormancy as quickly.
Anyway that is my two cents, actually a number of two cent'es from other
people that I have tried to collect into a dime.
Fire when ready, Gridley...
John | "There be dragons here"
| Annotation used by ancient cartographers
| to indicate the edge of the known world.
John Jones
To reply to me personally click on
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j*@ix.netcom.com
Fremont, California, USA, Earth, USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay)
Max high 95F/35C, Min Low 28F/-2C average 10 days each
Heavy clay base for my raised beds.
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