Re: cutting rootballs was: Shrub question
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] cutting rootballs was: Shrub question
- From: M* T*
- Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 22:36:23 -0500
Well, George, I dunno that I agree with doing this as a matter of
course. I have, on occasion, resorted to this when faced with a
rootball that was so solid nothing could be teased from it. But,
severing roots is rather traumatic for the plant and I prefer either
washing off soil to loosen the roots if fairly pot bound or simply
teasing out roots with my hands if not pot bound.
I do agree that it is important to make sure that roots are loosened
enough so that they will venture into the soil and not continue going
around and around the rootball...but IMO, cutting the ball should be
a last resort. Of course, it's best not to let plants get pot bound
in the first place.....
What do you nursery men and women on this list think about cutting
rootballs as a general practice?
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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> From: Mannoe <nursery@IAW.ON.CA>
> Date: Saturday, December 18, 1999 5:07 PM
>
> Nancy wrote:
> question is: does another season in a pot stunt the growth of
> > the plant? My Japanese maples seem awfully small for their age.
>
> Nancy when you transplant from pot to soil in a year make sure that
the
> roots surrounding the the "soil ball" are cut with a knife. This
practice
> will inhibit any negative effects associated with the phenomena
rootbound.
> Also improve the soil in the planting hole with sand and organic
soil
> conditioners mixed with the original soil.
>
> What variety of japanese maples are you referring to?
>
> George Mannoe.
