ROOT PRUNING IN HOUSE PLANTS – EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
I think, most plant lovers have a problem over time due to the, that some specimens reach incredibly large sizes. And if the crowns of these "horses" can be restrained by a regular haircut, then what to do with the root mass? Over the years, gradual transshipment into increasingly bulky pots is needed.. And the moment comes, when it is no longer possible to increase the capacity.
I also faced this task. Using the example of my two "giants" I will tell, how I got the courage to take a desperate step.
MY HEROINS
Gardenia keeled (Gardenia carinata) and tabernemontana dissolved (Tabernaemontana divaricata) were among the first to appear in my collection, near 8 years ago. Even despite the various experiments of a young and inexperienced grower, they were able to survive and grow to enormous sizes!
The last transshipment was carried out by 2 years ago, and, judging by the rapid drying of the earthen coma after watering, partial chlorosis of some leaves, plants again demanded "expansion of living space".
Everything would be fine, but the volumes of their flowerpots were already 15 l! Then the thought came to me: and if you try to cut the root ball? The idea seemed dangerous enough. It was not possible to find information on this issue on the Internet. However, after consulting with familiar collectors, decided to take a chance this summer.
FIRST GO!
Gardenia's earthen lump was almost exhausted, the main mass was represented by the roots of the plant. With a large, sharp ceramic knife, I cut off a lump from four sides in the form of a square and its lower part - by about a third.
Planted in half the size of a pot (7,5 l), adding new soil. After these manipulations, I cut off all the buds and shed the substrate with a root formation stimulator. In the next few days, the plant slightly lost turgor and shed some of the lower leaves, but then quickly recovered and produced many young shoots.
Trimming the roots of spreading tabernemontana
Trimming the roots of a keeled gardenia
CUT THE ROOT COM POSSIBLE!
Once convinced, that gardenia is doing well and is not in danger, repeated the same procedure with tabernemontana. What's strange, this beauty did not react in any way to such an operation. The turgor of the leaves remained excellent, there was no leaf fall. The plant feels great and pleased with many new peduncles!
Now I know, that a similar problem can and should be solved! Doing so, sure, better in the warm season, while the sun helps the subjects to recuperate. Good luck with your experiments.!
© Author: Ivan SINGAREV. Vitebsk region. Photo by the author
