By Peter Punzi

Rootbound Daphne Closeup

Roots Detangled and ready for transplanting
When I went to transplant it and started loosening the root-bound roots of the plant I found that within that was a root mass the size of a 3″ container (see picture). This means to me that the cutting taken from the mother plant was grown in a three inch pot, where it was allowed to get root-bound. It was transplanted into a larger container without the roots being loosened up. You may ask why this is a problem if the plant looks healthy. Had I not untangled the whole root mass it is likely that girdling roots would have caused health problems for the plant in the future. A girdling root is a root that grows in a circle around the base of a potted tree or shrub. As the tree or shrub grows the main stem and the roots enlarge to the point where the encircling root strangles the plant cutting it off from its own roots.
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Peter Punzi – Horticulture Guy is a Garden Communicator, garden consultant, coach and online garden shop owner. To find out more about services see his website HorticultureGuy.com or find out his tried and tested garden supplies at Shop.HorticultureGuy.com