ARE ROOT BOUND PLANTS BAD? WHY DO SOME PLANTS ENJOY BEING ROOT BOUND | Soil Scientist Opinion 👩‍🔬

[@markahearn1]

Many people seem to think that if you are going to repot a root bound plant, you should take to the next a next container size larger. But I had a neglected 6ft tall ficus tree that was ready to bust out of it's ceramic container. I did not want to go larger. Instead I just sawed off about 30% of the root ball and dropped it back it into same container. With some NPK and fresh soil, the tree now looks happy and beautiful.

[@GardeningInCanada]

This was highly requested! Hope you enjoy. Let me know if it makes sense

[@richiepropster4313]

We need more scientists and professionals explaining their expertise. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks so much that’s a huge compliment

[@amymoriyama6616]

@@GardeningInCanada I'm big into science and education. I think information should be spread far and wide so that everyone can get a better understanding of the world we live in. Thank you for your time.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I’m glad you enjoyed itb

[@Prohortico]

Nice video topic, A little nursery trade ‘inside secret’ for getting the most plant for your money when buying trees and shrubs, I like to purchase at the end of the season when things have been in the nursery all summer and go on sale. A few reasons: - if the trees are still alive at this point, they have been watered well and have grown for a full season in the pot, they are ready for re-potting to the next size up... this means you are able to buy the next pot sized plant, but pay the lower pot size price (and sometimes even cheaper if the nursery needs to get rid of them and has a big sale). Essentially you could buy a $200 tree for $100 using this technique. - the trees are likely well hardened off at this point, and less likely to suffer transplant shock, in fact, they often love being planted out at this point. ONE MAJOR THING TO BE AWARE OF: - Large trees species that have root bound roots MUST BE fixed prior to planting. If a a tree has a ‘girdled root’ (circles the trunk), when that tree becomes mature it can actually strangle itself, open itself to infection and die.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yes! We I’ve seen the root entanglement issue in the forestry industry before you can basically pull the tree out of the ground with one hand. I’d say root bound outdoor perennials are a whole other box of worms.

[@beastmuncher527]

Most informative video on the topic with a little bit of a scientific explanation on why things happen the way they do. Thank you so much!

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤❤

[@applet8330]

I’ve only just discovered you and love your videos. Fun fact, I’m hearing impaired and hear your intro as “...I’m a soul scientist.” Lol. And you are to me. Great info. Thank you so much ❤️

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hahaha oh no! My TikTok a and Instagram video say soul too!!!! Well I’m happy to be your soul scientist 👻

[@dandeleona4760]

I suspected root bound wasn't always a bad thing when I repotted up from the nursery and they did well .. then began to fail. I shook the pots out and put them in a slightly smaller pot instead of my standard 10 inch groupings, and they did much better, in particular the new aloe. It seemed to me the aloe liked a smaller pot possibly because in the wild their roots snake around desert gravel and boulders in the middle east and other arid areas instead of coir or potting soils. I changed the soil to largely sand and a much smaller pot, and it perked right up even in winter light. In fact, most of my overwintered plants PREFERRED their smaller house, including vegetables like tomatoes and flowers like hibiscus. When the summer came, they were anxious for a larger pot outdoors, exploding into new growth of flowers and fruiting. In the Fall, I cut them back markedly and repot them in their winter home indoors where they snooze until Spring.

[@GardeningInCanada]

seems about right!

[@jessicanapier6118]

I completely agree with you! I know every plant and situation is completely dependent upon nuances of the environment, hopefully though you can answer my question regarding Neem Cake Tea and maybe just maybe if I can get the right strength it can be the solution to all my problems. 🤔

[@mjsoskie]

I always learn so much from your videos! Gracias

[@GardeningInCanada]

Love to hear that!

[@Amber2319]

You came up on my fyp on TikTok I’ve learned so much! I love that you gave both point of views in an unbiased and factual way. Thank you so much, this was super helpful!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that a lot means the world

[@Anythingforfreedom]

3:15 this is amazing information. Thank you

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤️❤️ anytime

[@Byrod1]

Very well done. Just the way it is.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@puppy172]

I love when my snakeplants are root bound, because it means they are happier, none of mine are root bound now because I replanted them but I hope their roots grow faster!

[@GardeningInCanada]

They do enjoy it that’s forsure

[@jessletteer8430]

My biggest take away .. I must repot my schefflera immediately ahahaha

[@GardeningInCanada]

hahah

[@amymoriyama6616]

I want to know what would happen if someone purposely kept a larger-growing plant in a very tiny pot and prune the roots every so often. Like, maybe a one cubic inch pot with say, an oak sapling started from seed? Would the plant survive this treatment if it was kept watered and fertilized? Would it remain very tiny? Would the leaves be smaller than normal? I would suspect the plant might survive because I have seen some mums that were horribly root-bound and still doing fine. Like, there were six plants in a pot of about 4ft x 0.5ft for over three years before the property owner ripped them up and replaced them with some other plants. It was so bad that there were visible roots on the surface. They seemed to take it just fine, but they just never grew any taller than about eight inches and only one variety flowered. The other variety never flowered after being put in the pot.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I think it would personally the key is providing the needs

[@Linabeana177]

Thank you for this video!. I’m a new plant mom and all this plant talk is a little overwhelming I bought a dracaena and anthurium plant and didn’t even think to look at the roots when in the store. The foliage on the dracaena is gorgeous and the anthurium has the brightest shiniest red blooms I’ve ever seen! It’s beautiful! But now that I’m looking more closely what I thought was different material in the soil is actually roots growing on the surface of both plants 😫😭 starting learning about root bound and it’s been so confusing especially since ppl say don’t repot as soon as you get a plant, and clearly their thriving so I wasn’t going to repot.. but please correct me if I’m wrong but basically your saying that if you want to be lazy or chill with your plant care, root bound is good for you bcuz that’s how the plant has best adjusted to the care you give , and if you plan on being extra with your plant care (aka me cuz I’m just extra in general lol) like having humidifiers and grow lamps trying to create conditions like their natural habitat then root bound is bad cuz all that stuff is going to encourage them to want to spread out? Right? Lol

[@aniliname]

If you have roots coming out of the top then it’s a sign things aren’t ideal. Both of those plants are tough as nails so they can handle a little abuse. Your comment is from a few months ago so if you haven’t repotted it yet then now would be the ideal time with spring coming.

[@kenton6770]

I've heard alocasia plant like to be root bound and that will promote faster growth and bigger leaves, but I have mine in bigger pots.

[@calebhunter8799]

This was SO informative, and I'm glad you got to the REALITY of it! Makes so much sense! I've shared this with some of my plant groups. I'm curious now, why are some pots "too big?" do they actually "drown" in a pot like this? It's hard for me to understand, because in nature, they literally have a HUGE "pot" that they live in. I'd love to hear your opinion!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

great question. But its mostly because its an open system vs a closed system. open system have more directions for the water to move in

[@blackmber]

I wondered the same thing until I planted small plants in big pots and realized it takes them so long to absorb the water that mould starts to grow. In that environment they could be very susceptible to disease. For plants that need soil to dry a bit between waterings, snug pots help. Outdoors that type of plant grows in locations that aren’t always wet.

[@GisellVe]

It would be interesting to different plant roots and treatment needed based on root conditions and soil

[@GardeningInCanada]

thats an awesome idea

[@AlejandraMartinez-me3od]

Thank you great information 😊

[@GardeningInCanada]

You are so welcome!

[@EverythingPlants]

Thanks for all the information!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Anytime! Glad you enjoyed

[@thecakepopsistars]

Thanks for sharing this perspective on root bound plants!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Anytime! Glad you enjoyed

[@amigatommy7]

Every plant I buy is rootbound before I rip up some of the roots.

[@GardeningInCanada]

haha yea thats probably true

[@Krystal091989]

Well. I learned a lot. 🖤

[@GardeningInCanada]

love that!

[@jeandarbyshire4391]

Love your fact videos!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks so much! That’s what I am aiming for

[@joyceleneave2147]

I totally cannot love this channel more! Thank you! Just found you; Happy New Year from Ohio:) I have questions regarding seasons & how they affect houseplants.

[@GardeningInCanada]

You are so kind. I just been videos for fun it’s not really my job or anything. But I’m really glad you enjoy. Be sure to share it helps the channel enormously

[@joyceleneave2147]

@@GardeningInCanada I definitely will!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Wooho

[@scarlettalquijay3818]

Awesome. Thank you this was very helpful.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Perfect! I’m happy it helpsd

[@christopherexorphe2610]

thank you for this video, you always on point!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks so much! I appreciate that

[@chickenjohnny3308]

I just wonder how it affects seedlings, I have my opinion but would love to hear yours.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Seedlings will germinate almost anywhere there is light & moisture, it’s why they germinate in paper towel for example. But I would say it’s about the water usage balance, so smaller containers are better for the single purpose of balancing water usage so there is no rot.

[@chickenjohnny3308]

@@GardeningInCanada I agree I often have "extra" seedlings incase we have a late frost and I have to replant. The extras will sit in the hoop house till I ether sell or plant them. Some of these are severely root bound, They always do well and will in fact catch up to the earlier plants in time. Always a race to be first to market.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hahah it’s true anything that’s not a tree or Bush essentially does fine in root bound situations so long as you provide the water and nutrients it needs

[@myinfo2991]

Hi. Great video. What i learn from my mom's plants is don't bother them.

[@myinfo2991]

But I have a question about my Basil plant it's lost almost all it's leaves and stems became brown and woody will it recover under a light?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha ❤️

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea most likely did you have it under ambient light

[@myinfo2991]

@@GardeningInCanada it was by the window with shade pulled down And dryish . Now under a CFL and the leaf tips are Browning. How much light is needed for Basil ?

[@GardeningInCanada]

A decent amount just try pulling the light away from it for the first week to allow the plant to adjust.

[@apextroll]

Interesting topic and well stated. How prevalent in nature is root-boundness? Sure some plants grow in the cracks of rocks but does, say, the African violet encounter being root bound in nature? I repotted an AV from a 3 inch pot to a 4 inch pot and then watched a video saying it was not good. However 6 weeks later it is doing well.

[@GardeningInCanada]

As long it’s getting the water needs required in the space it’s in it will survive. And it’s more common in rocky areas (Canadian Shield, mountains) but you can find in in heavy clay areas & even in cut old school cut blocks actually. So “back in the olden days” sapling root balls were wrapped up and placed in a small hole which resulted in a lot of adult trees with clumped up roots

[@lebored8264]

Hi, can you do a video about fungus gnats? These little critters keep coming back no matter what I do.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I have one 😊😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKTJd6dmqsmfm6M

[@tobruz]

So, how about Hoya do they like being in bondage? Mine has never flowered ...

[@GardeningInCanada]

Some plants tend to flower only after they “hit bottom” which is usually a way of saying they got through periods on less water and therefore stress. So yes they do enjoy being in bondage 😂

[@jennys4271]

I was wondering if you would share your scientific thoughts on introducing UV ( ABC) light to plants to help with bacteria and fungal issues. I’ve read that it can help but can also be dangerous. Thank you and i really appreciate your videos 😊

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea! I could do a video on that. The concern would be the beneficial microbes being taken out

[@jennys4271]

@@GardeningInCanada Thank you! Farmer Tyler and California Light Works has some info out there about using the different types of UV but I would LOVE your thoughts before I start experimenting. 🧑‍🔬🪴🔥

[@GardeningInCanada]

Ok! I’ll look into it

[@chickitapanda6503]

your awesome i had to watch this 2 times lol

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oh wow! Thanks so much I appreciate it. Feel free to share it anywhere you think it might help someone 😌

[@joesdi]

Micromanaging your plant 🤣🤣🤣 Ouch. I need a LIFE!!!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

lol

[@HzFvr]

Just discovered you! Subbed

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s awesome. Welcome I want to to know how people are finding me 😂

[@HzFvr]

@@GardeningInCanada You came up as a suggestion. My brain always asks WHY! I love science! Thank you again.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Awesome. And yes it’s how my brain works too... I needed something to fill the KZbin niche online for us nerds

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚💚

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤️❤️

[@jessletteer8430]

I am not one of the Insta ppl who encourage root bound 😂😍 just putting that out there bc I on Insta ahahaha ( not enough followers to be an influencer but still)😂🥰

[@GardeningInCanada]

HAHAHAHA love this 🥰