How to Fix Rootbound Plants 

Happy to help!

@@revgardens >>oh**jj**j n*j k*n

love the enthusiasm, and glad I could help!

the first couple of times were pretty terrifying, but I can't argue with the results. This past spring we did it with two Japanese maples that have been in big ceramic pots for four years and repotted them. They're much, much happier now!

@@revgardens I watched this video and just did this to two apple trees and one fig tree just purchased from tractor supply they were in round containers for quit a while I'm guessing but terrified I have destroyed them LOL

@@revgardens just did it yesterday wish them luck

I'm doing a yoshino cherry tree that is root bound a recently transplanted a silver maple Trees lose about 90% of they're roots when transplanted

@@revgardens There is a chance of root getting some disease like fungos (root rot) or bacteria after washing and cutting like this? Cause people say the soil is very important to the plant health balance, with the microflora (mycorrhiza). If you wash and cut like this you gonna to destroy these microflora and open free way to bacteria/fungus infect your root system. Cheers!

I'm glad it helped! The first few times I did this I couldn't help thinking "what am I doing/this is so wrong" but there's no arguing with results!

aw thanks so much!

lol. It's terrifying, isn't it? But it's what the leading experts are suggesting and it sure seems to work. Good luck with the patient!

Pam Pam how is it going 11months in?

that's for sure. Thanks for commenting!

Hi Sarah! To your second point, I have a Japanese maple in my backyard that I root washed and I had to go extra aggressive with the pruners because of big chunks in the planting media. It's for sure a thing. As far as containers getting topped off, I've been lucky and haven't seen as much of that. But to be fair, a lot of the stuff we buy in a container is pretty fast growing and is coming straight from the grower (so they haven't been sitting around the yard enough to need it). Definitely a good reminder to always check what's going on under the soil!

Absolutely! Thanks for commenting

If it's only been a couple of weeks, the plant's not going to know the difference between having been in the ground vs in a container. I wouldn't hesitate to pop it out and do what you need to do (assuming that it's generally pretty happy looking). Good luck!

You sound like ME! I'm really invested in my plants.

can't argue with that!

Dormancy is a great time, otherwise cool weather (fall especially). While I did the hydrangea in the middle of summer, it definitely took some babying to get it through

It couldn't hurt, I would

thanks for the help!

How did it turn out? I transplanted a sunflower basil mint and lavender lately and realized they are rootbound and have to replant them again!! Doing it this Sunday when I give my garden enzymes!!!

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Maybe if it wasn't just a container of roots. This one was well beyond that point.

It's juuuust started to leaf out (been a weird spring in VA) but follow me on instagram and I'll post pics there when it looks like something. It's definitely happy!

It's done amazingly well! You can see it on my instagram, right next to the blue spruce I went a little crazy on

thanks for commenting!

How is your plant now?

The plants is now CEO of Starbucks.

I'm not honestly sure. I haven't planted palms in 20+ years but aren't they more of a fibrous mass than regular trees? Might be a good question for your local extension office!

I've had a bunch of requests, so I should really do that soon (while it's still blooming!) In the meantime if you go on my Instagram account you'll see a pic of a giant bloom poking over the fence - that's this hydrangea. It's been really happy. Thanks for commenting!

scratch and dent plants can be a ridiculous bargain. I never seem to find the $25 specimen Japanese maples that my friends all seem to stumble across, but hopefully you have better luck than I do. Thanks for commenting!

i.m happy to stumble onto this. bought a bunch of cannas $1 per pot, only to find massive circling roots when preparing them for winter. i quit and came searching what to do! THANKS for the instruction and for all the comments!!!

the principle should be the same for all plants, so I would think so

How is it now?

pretty much. The goal is to get rid of the crossing/tangled roots and make sure everything is pointed the right direction (not circling)

I have a succulent that is very root bound. Would this work with it?

Thanks for letting me know. I can proceed with some cautious optimism now. :)

You couldn't do this to a caper bush it would die, some plants will not tolerate root disturbance.

I want to know??!

A plant's a plant, so I don't see why not

"how to fix rootbound plants" Cannabis=plant.

Gah! I keep meaning to do an update. The plant is doing VERY well. I underestimated how much shade my fence casts so it's a little leggy, but I'm moving it in the next week or two. Thanks for the nudge, I do need to do that update!

Removing the soil a) lets you see what's going on in there and b) lets you prune any roots that are circling or doing other stuff you don't want. This isn't my idea, these are recommendations from hort researchers. Buy a container plant at the end of the season - especially a Japanese maple that is big for the pot size - and do this. You'll be amazed at what a disaster the roots are. Thanks for commenting!

Do you get it now?

Dont prune the roots like that. Despite what he says that's extreme shock to a plant and it will kill it.

Then you did it wrong or the plant was so weak and unhealthy already that it was past the point of saving. I've been doing this for years and have never had a plant even appear stressed by it.

@@xXRedEyedJediXx Can we do branch pruning and root pruning at a time? If not what should be the duration in between?

Most people that root prune do both at once.. it really depends on the type of plant. This is a technique for master level gardeners. That said, I would recommend ensuring that the plant is as healthy as possible before attempting. Personally, I would use an organic liquid fertilizer first at the roots and as a foliar spray (perhaps this doesn't work as well with traditionally, chemically grown plants? That I can't comment on as I'm exclusively organic). Try to make sure the plant has as many nutrients stocked up in its tissues as possible to carry it over. Then use a B vitamin like superthrive or something similar to help with the shock. I also use a mycorrhizal inoculant to encourage root growth more quickly. While it's recovering, the plant can be fed with foliar sprays to ensure it's survival. Like I said, I've never had a problem with it and I've been doing it for years.

what crops are we talking about?

Revolutionary Gardens Landscape & Design I grow cannabis. Would never do that to my roots. Then again wouldn't let them get rootbound in the first place. That was painfull to watch.

@@jaimedelgado7529 igrow cannibis as well. iv just suffered minor rootbound. i didnt have money to buy soil. hopefully they will come back

wut.

got a link? Because I disagree.