How to Fix Root Bound Plants: the Correct Method of Doing It

How to fix root-bound plants is a process that enables the roots to take up adequate water and nutrients. Your plants become root-bound if they are placed in containers that are too small for their roots.  In most cases, plants are planted in the right sizes of containers but they become root-bound with time, as they outgrow the original pots.

While healthy plants with active growth habits are more likely to become root-bound, the plants that possess deep root systems are less susceptible, but now, read on to know the procedure in the right way.

How to Fix Root-bound Plants in Simple Ways?

To fix root-bound plants in simple ways you must first transplant your plant to a new space, and then try to prune the roots and keep it healthy. You must also make sure that you loosen and repot the plant, and make sure you divide the root balls.

Root-bound plants display an array of symptoms that allow you to diagnose the condition without having to remove your plants from their place of growth. Some of the root-bound plant symptoms may include stunted growth, distorted pot, yellowing of leaves, and extensive visible roots.

Examples of these plants include the umbrella tree, African violet, and Christmas cactus tree. These plants do not need to be repotted if that happens. In addition to being a waste of time, repotting one of these plants when the roots are bound may also make the plant bloom less strongly.

It will only keep growing leaves rather than sprouting fresh flowers. Certain plants, such as aloe and tarantula plants, will not generate offshoots from a parent plant except if the space is entirely confined.

– Transplant Your Plants to New Space

You should carefully take your plants from their place of growth. Dig the holes for the plant in the new site before transporting the plant. Additionally, wet the plant’s root ball before relocating it to ensure that your soil stays in place while digging. Remove the soil from the root system carefully, then cover the entire structure in untreated organic jute.

The use of synthetic jute should be avoided at all costs as it will not decompose and will subsequently impede the growth of the roots. You can gently lash the jute together to secure the roots firmly. You can accomplish this by tightly stitching the jute around the root system using a huge upholstery needle and untreated organic twine.

You should use a trolley, a hired ball cart, jute, or cardboard to carry your plants carefully. Now, here you should know that your plant’s roots should remain intact. The plant may die if the root ball cracks because it will damage the inside, so it is very important that you take this step in a slow manner.

Fill the area all around the root system with soil and ensure the plant is positioned in the big hole with the same depth. You may also apply mulch for moisture retention and to keep the base of the plant healthy. Note that these plants will remain healthy if you keep moving them into bigger pots, but they will not be able to sprout new plants for you to cultivate the following generation.

There are some species that do not particularly enjoy being root bound yet also do poorly when transplanted. African violets and Boston ferns are two examples of houseplants that will certainly perish if you try to move them, despite the fact that they cannot do well with the stress of an inadequately sized container.

– Prune the Roots

When your potted plant’s roots fully fill the pot and start to circle around the interior surface or its roots begin to escape via the drainage holes clearly, it is time you should root prune it. The species of plant you are growing and how quickly it grows will determine how frequently this needs to be done.

It is typically simple to tell when to prune because the roots start to grow extensively moving out of the pot. First, you should remove your plant from its container and look at the roots. Take note that you should not merely take the plants out of their pots when doing this, especially if it is a sensitive plant, which is why you might damage the leaves and some important parts, so be very gentle with the care.

You can proceed by carefully trimming the roots of your plants if they are not sensitive, yet the process of root pruning is done using a sharp knife. After you have finished trimming extremely root bound plants, prepare your pots and put them in fresh potting soil.

The second step is replanting your plants but ensuring they fit in your new pots, and also, remember to water them after all if you are wondering, “will root bound plants die” or else, they will.

– Loosen and Repot Your Plants

Consider putting your plant in a new pot after gently freeing the roots, and this is due to how they are tightly packed. This will provide space for free growth and normal uptake of nutrients for the whole plant. Do not forget to give them the right care after you have repotted them in new pots.

The procedure of repotting is easy, so you should place the plant in the new, larger pot after adding a few inches of potting mix that have been mixed with perlite and manure. Proceed by lightly filling the remaining area in your pot soil mix. Make sure that the main stems of your plants are not any lower in the soil than they were before you repotted them.

In order for the water to freely drain out of the pot, it must have drainage holes and be set on a tray or other suitable surface. Wait until this soil has dried before watering your houseplant that has been repotted; the latter is the simple way to enable good root growth.

It is crucial to understand how to recognize and care for root-bound plants. Bound untreated plant roots can suffocate and choke your plants, depriving them of the essential nutrients and oxygen is what they need in addition to having aerated soil.

The great news is that transplants can easily fix this problem if you act fast enough. As it sounds like being root bound, there is no big deal, but, it simply means your plants are tightly packed in whatever you have planted them in. The important thing to note is how you rescue your plants from such conditions.

Again, once they become root bound, there will be no growth, resulting in your plants’ overwatering and increased susceptibility to root rot. While the case of being in such a state is less likely to kill your plants, on the other hand, subsequent diseases like severe scenarios of root rot may completely destroy them.

– Divide the Root Ball

If your plants have clumping habits and centered crown growth, they should be divided after several years. It is best to separate them over the winter when they will be dormant because some can withstand it easily, whereas others tend to be more sensitive when their roots are disturbed.

You can gently untangle your roots before cutting the root system into a few pieces with a sharp knife. Rather than having one lifeless houseplant, you will have multiple plants with a fresh start if you change the pot, each part into a fresh container with new soil and manure, so that it would establish properly and in a healthy way.

You should take extra care not to damage the roots because transplanting to other pots becomes difficult. Consider consulting experts in fixing root-bound trees for assistance if you need help knowing the proper way to do it. It is important to note that dividing the roots provides more space for efficient nutrient uptake.

Conclusion

The article provided the necessary steps that you should take in order to save your root-bound plants if there is a need, so let us run through some important tips:

• Pruning the roots, repotting your plants, and dividing the root ball are some of the brilliant methods to fix your root-bound trees.
• Once you have potted your plants, it is necessary to apply water
• Root-bound trees can survive if you take immediate action once you notice the symptoms
• Symptoms of root-bound plants may include yellowing of leaves, compromised growth, and roots that are visible.
• A rescued plant from root bound can take up water and nutrients freely.

Hopefully, you have mastered the necessary steps that you can adopt to save your root-bound plants, or better still, prevent them from outgrowing their containers.