Years ago , common advice whenplanting treesand shrubs was to ease the plant out of its glasshouse container and drop it in a 2X full fix with the planting medium intact . Then backfill withcompostand soil and off you go . It was recall that not disturbing the source would let them to expand vigorously into the neighboring land .
alas , recent research ( and even my gardening experience ) has shown that this planting technique can result in shrubs and tree diagram that may not fly high , and it may even lead to their demise . More than a few times , I ’ve removed plants from my garden and others whose antecedent did not amplify outside of the planting pickle even years later on . This is especially rightful for Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree whose burlap wrap was go away in spot . curb root development like this not only crave the plant of nutrition but results in wretched anchoring , lead the shrub or tree vulnerable to wind and conditions .
What is root washing?
Root washing is the removal of all of the planting media from a tree diagram or shrub ’s root ball before plant it , comply by pruning out drained or damaged ancestor . To ensure success , gardeners should also notice up - to - engagement planting techniques . This return your perennial the dear chance to thrive in your garden . Establishing a goodish root organization creates a healthier plant overall , requiring less plant food and fewer pesticides .
Removing the pot media allows the flora to pour out its hive away resourcefulness into spreading its roots into neighboring territory . This quickly anchors the plant and creates an opportunity for it to gather food from the ring landscape . While top growth may initially appear slow , rest assured that plenty of piece of work is going on below ground .
When a plant is planted with its root glob inviolate , the plant will initially form new leaves and flush . That ’s because the roots have not been commove , and the resource stored in the plant life are poured into top growth and reproduction . But when resources are spent on top increase , fewer are available for radical growth , which diminish the wellness of the flora below the soil line . And eventually above . The result is a plant life that may not thrive and eventually die out . It may take years to encounter , but it ’s inevitable .
Why do plants become rootbound in containers?
plant life roots prefer to grow evenly outwards and around the trunk of a tree or shrub rather than down into the ground . This is unmistakable if you ’ve ever planted a perennial seedling in open soil – the root system will grow outwards like spokes on a roulette wheel . When plants are not pot up correctly by growers , the roots grow to the side of the container , where they hit the bulwark and then begin to circle , searching for open land . Not find oneself any , they keep to circle or produce vertically . If this occurs for too long , the roots spring up over each other , stimulate the root ball to become root - bandage .
As the plant ’s theme age , they become woody and rigid . This leave them fixed in the circling position . Without correction , they ’ll continue to circle , even after being planted . Eventually , the plant becomes “ girdled ” – the root word wrap so tightly around themselves that they effectively choke the plant off from its resources . Rootbound and girdled solution systems are less probable to give and wo n’t flourish in your garden . Most girdled plants will cash in one’s chips prematurely . Research has shown that once plant life root start growing in a rotary pattern , they do not typically exchange their growth when plant unless even out by the gardener . This is why root washing and correcting root problem at the time of planting are best practice .
How to wash plant roots
launder the roots of bush and tree diagram ( perennials ) helps them transition quickly to your garden and identifies any root system problem . Ideally , root washing should be done when the plant is dormant , just as withplanting or transplanting . Root washing or planting during the growing season tally stress on the plant but can be successful if charge is strike to follow best practices . Note that this advice apply to flora in containers or transplants .
Correct planting is key to the plant’s health
An easy rule of thumb to see if your plant is at the correct planting depth:
right planting depth with the root flare above the territory parentage is key to a shrub or tree ’s foresightful - term health .
Source : Fine GardeningandClemson Cooperative Extension
