Re: Is there an answer??

Pamela,
 
Many nurseries (not all, but a good bunch of them) don't take good care of the root system of the plants they grow. Very often, plants are set too deep in de pot and the rootball is not disturbed when repoted, leading to a concentric web of spiralized eventually girdling roots. Talking about Spanish Garden Centers (where I assume you purchase your plants), very often a plant that is not sold right away will remain in the same pot for many years until it is finally sold. So.... Always check the roots of your plants before planting! I buy plants from all over Europe and the USA, and now (after poor results with some plants) I always wash of all the soil from plants that have been pot grown and cut away all the girdling/potentially girdling roots that have already developed. Then, I plant them in the new soil (no soil from the original pot added) and at the right depth. I do this with trees and shrubs. With perennials, I only loose the rootball.
 
Checking the root system before planting is something not than common in Spain for the average gardener yet. Besides, many "gardeners" here have had no training as gardeners at all... so false myths keep on rolling around, unfortunately.
 
Fran
Madrid, Spain
 
----- Original Message -----
From: p*@re-taste.com
To: m*@ucdavis.edu
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:47 PM
Subject: 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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