Is there an answer??

I have been given alot of conflicting advice regarding planting small trees and perennials from tubs over the past years and whether one should plant the root ball intact ('don't touch it'! I  have been told)  or tease out the roots gently.   My (part time) gardener here in the Costa Blanca (not Spanish I hasten to add) says that I must not disturb the root ball.   I ask this because I have had several plants die on me after 2 years ( Echium candicans, Leonotis leonoris as examples) and when I pulled up the plant the root ball was completely bound up, dried up and had not spread out.  Both of these plants had 'sister'  plants' planted at the same time and which are very successful.  I have a watering system on all plants until established.
 
The conflicting advice to 'fan out the roots'  when planting is very much of interest and I would be fascinated to hear opinions from the very experienced members of this group about this conundrum for me and would appreciate any other information that could be helpful.  
 
I am thinking of planting a Papaya ( Paw Paw) this Spring.
 
Best wishes
Pamela
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